There’s a rather special visitor in Santa Cruz this week, and you don’t need to spend a penny to have a look around.
The ARC Gloria, a magnificent three-masted sailing ship belonging to the Colombian Navy, has arrived in Tenerife for the first time in nine years. The 76-metre vessel berthed at the Dársena de Los Llanos on Tuesday and will remain in port until Friday 6 November.
Visitors can step aboard for free and take a look at a ship that has spent almost 60 years travelling the world’s oceans.
The ARC Gloria isn’t just there to look pretty. It’s used to train future officers of the Colombian Navy, giving cadets practical experience of navigation, sailing manoeuvres and life at sea. It also represents Colombia during visits to ports around the world.
When can you visit?
Entry is free, with the following visiting hours:
- Wednesday 4 November: 9am to 4pm
- Thursday 5 November: 9am to 10pm
- Friday 6 November: 9am to 4pm
Location: Dársena de Los Llanos, Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
A ship with a Spanish connection
Although the ARC Gloria sails under the Colombian flag, it has a Spanish connection. It was built in Bilbao and entered service in 1968, with its first voyage taking it from Ferrol to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia.
Nearly six decades later, it is still doing what it was built for, helping young naval cadets learn their trade at sea.
The current training voyage began in Cartagena de Indias in April, with 67 cadets on board. Since then, the ship has visited ports across the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Tenerife is its final international stop before the return Atlantic crossing to Colombia, where it is expected to arrive on 1 December.
It’s not every day you get the chance to explore a working naval sailing ship without paying for the privilege. If you’re in Santa Cruz this week, it could be well worth a visit.