Welcome to Porto ......... on Navy Day!
As it happens we are in Porto on Navy Day, May 20, a celebration in honor of the day in 1498 when explorer Vasco da Gama sailed into Calcutta, opening the trade route by sea with the east. Each year a coastal city is chosen to host Navy Day, Dia da Marinha, and as luck would have it this year the festivities were held in Porto.In addition to the Naval frigate anchored in the Douro river, there were military parades, helicopter flyovers, dockside demonstrations and interactive displays, but the real star was the tall ship Sagres. This German built (1937) three masted barque, was acquired by the Portuguese in 1961 for use as a naval training vessel.
Of the 36 military vessels currently commissioned in the Portuguese Navy, the Sagres is by far the most captivating of the fleet, in her role as sailing school and goodwill ambassador. The following promotional video features the Sagres as she enters Porto in advance of Navy Day:
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