all photographs courtesy of Erin McKinney
Italy’s famed naval training ship, the Amerigo Vespucci, arrived in Trieste on Saturday, drawing thousands to the city’s waterfront for a grand maritime and aerial display. The ship’s entrance was accompanied by a boat parade and a flyover by the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s elite aerobatic team, which painted the sky in the colors of the national flag.
Launched in 1931, the Vespucci is renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful ships and serves as a floating ambassador of Italian naval tradition. Its arrival in Trieste marks the start of a Mediterranean tour following a global voyage across multiple continents.
The vessel will remain docked in Trieste until March 3, offering public tours before continuing its journey. Photographer Erin McKinney captured the highlights of the day, preserving a moment of national pride and maritime heritage.
The ship can be visited in Trieste until 3 March after which it sets sail once more, stopping in the following cities:
Venice (27-31 March), Ancona (1-3 April), Ortona (4-6 April), Durrës – Albania (8-11 April), Brindisi (12-15 April), Taranto (16-22 April), Valletta – Malta (25-29 April), Porto Empedocle (30 April), Reggio Calabria (3-6 May), Palermo (7-11 May), Naples (13-17 May), Cagliari (19-24 May), Gaeta (26-29 May), Civitavecchia (30 May-3 June), Livorno (4-8 June), Genova (10 June).
Dubbed “the most beautiful ship in the world”, the Amerigo Vespucci navy training vessel was built in Castellamare di Stabia, Naples, in 1930.
For full details of the Mediterranean tour and how to visit the ship, see the Amerigo Vespucci website.
