The “most beautiful ship in the world” has arrived in Los Angeles.
The Italian Navy’s Amerigo Vespucci made its way past the breakwater and Angels Gate Lighthouse, and docked at the Port of Los Angeles early Tuesday morning, July 2, for a weeklong stay in San Pedro — as part of the 92-year-old ship’s 20-month, 15-stop world tour.
The tall ship, which will be in LA untl Monday, July 8, will offer various activities and public events while at the port.
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian navy training vessel built in 1930, arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The ship is stopping in Southern California as part of its 15-stop world tour. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci is welcomed with fireworks to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Amerigo Vespucci, tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci arrives in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.The vessel will be docked in San Pedro through July 8 and the public can take free tours. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The stunning ship, with 26 traditional canvas sails, was built in 1930 and launched in 1931. It has been continually active since then, except during World War II, mostly as an Italian Navy training vessel.
The Amerigo Vespucci was twice the receipient of other ships’ adoration: once in 1962 in the Mediterranean Sea, when American aircraft carrier USS Independence signaled, “Who are you?” After getting a response, the Independence replied: “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.” More recently, in 2022, when Vespucci sailed near the American aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, she was saluted again: “You are still, after 60 years, the most beautiful ship in the world.”
The ship and Italian village will open to the public at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Port of Los Angeles’ Outer Harbor, Berths 46-50, 3011 Miner St., in San Pedro. In the morning, there will be an inaugural ceremony featuring by Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto and Italian Ambassador to the U.S. Mariangela Zappia.
The exhibits detailing the history of the ship and Italian culture will be housed port-side in a 130,000 square-foot space called “Villaggio Italia.”
Italian Air Force’s National Aerobatic Team, Frecce Tricolori, will perform an air show above the ship, at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 4, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and 7 p.m. Monday, July 8.
La Scala Academy musicians will perform at 7 p.m. Friday.
New bronze interpretation of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, “La David,” by artist Jago. Meet the artist at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Cooking demonstrations at Eataly’s “Ristorante Italila,” every day from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Multiple exhibits celebrating Italy’s design, wine heritage, business acumen, infrastructure, sports and film screenings.
