by InTrieste
Trieste is gearing up for an extraordinary event on March 1st, as it welcomes the historic Amerigo Vespucci ship, the renowned tall ship and training vessel of the Italian Navy. The ship, a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and naval tradition, will make its first stop in Italian waters after completing its World Tour, which has seen it dock in major ports across five continents. This event, a celebration of Italy’s maritime heritage, is part of the Barcolana Special Edition and will feature a grand maritime parade.
Organized in collaboration with local yacht clubs, rowing, and sports fishing groups, the Barcolana Boat Parade will be open to all types of vessels. Participants will escort the Amerigo Vespucci as it enters the Gulf of Trieste, culminating in a festive arrival at the Piazza Unità d’Italia, where the vessel will dock next to Nave Trieste.
The festivities will kick off with the opening of the “A TUTTO TONDO – The World Tour of the Amerigo Vespucci” exhibition, showcasing the work of photographer Massimo Sestini. This photographic journey, which captures the highlights of the ship’s world tour, will be on display at the Palazzo della Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia from March 1st to 7th. Organized in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, PromoTurismo FVG, the City of Trieste, and supported by Generali, the exhibition will also be showcased in Venice later this year.
The exhibition will offer a visual journey through key moments of the 2023-2025 World Tour, featuring images of both the Amerigo Vespucci and the Barcolana regatta. The exhibit will be free to the public and available for viewing on March 1st and 2nd from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM, March 3rd to 6th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on March 7th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The Boat Parade
This non-competitive, free event is open to all types of boats and will take place on Saturday, March 1st. More than 1,200 vessels from Italy, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia are expected to participate, embodying the spirit of the Barcolana. Sailboats, motorboats, and inflatable boats will depart around 1:00 PM from Barcola, traveling at a speed of approximately 4 knots to meet the Amerigo Vespucci at the center of the Gulf. The parade will follow the ship until it reaches the San Giusto Basin, near the Barcolana finish line.
Rowing boats, SUPs, and sailing dinghies will depart later, around 2:00 PM, from the Old Port’s breakwater. They will finish at San Giorgio Basin, where they will await the ship’s arrival. A special guest among the rowers will be the Italian Rowing Federation, participating with a GIG boat manned by top athletes. Additionally, a team from the Italian Finance Police will take part in a Figaro 3, including the Captain of the Gaeta Sailing Section, Francesco Nerone.
The Boat Parade, an opportunity for sea enthusiasts to sail alongside the Amerigo Vespucci, will be a grand celebration of the ship’s return to Italy. Registration for the event remains open until February 28th. Participants can sign up on the Barcolana Special Edition website or at the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano headquarters, where they can also collect event gifts and accessories, including the Gran Pavese for sailing and motorboats or the race bib for rowers and SUP participants.
Celebrating Italy’s Maritime Heritage
The Amerigo Vespucci’s visit to Trieste is the beginning of its Mediterranean tour along Italy’s coast, which will also include two stops abroad. The tour will conclude in Genoa on June 10, 2025, during the Italian Navy Day. In Trieste, the ship will be accompanied by the “Villaggio IN Italia,” an exhibition showcasing Italy’s cultural, historical, and technological innovations, organized as part of the Amerigo Vespucci’s global tour.
The Barcolana Special Edition is produced in partnership with the Ministry of Defense and Rai, which will provide extensive media coverage, including live broadcasts and specials across national television and radio channels.
For more information on the event and registration, visit the Barcolana Special Edition website.
