«You were the first to circumnavigate me.»
— Inscription on Elcano’s coat of arms
Ever wondered what it was like to sail uncharted waters in the 16th century?
Meet Juan Sebastián Elcano, the Spanish mariner from Guipúzcoa (born 1474), renowned for completing the first circumnavigation of the globe.
His life was a tapestry of adventures and challenges. Starting as a humble cabin boy, he joined forces with Magellan in the quest for a new route to the Indies.
After Magellan’s untimely demise in the Philippines, Elcano took command, steering the crew back to Spain across the vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They braved storms, hunger, and mutinies, but in 1522, they triumphed, etching their names into the annals of history.
Elcano emerged as a hero, his courage and determination celebrated to this day.
Did you know…
Before teaming up with Magellan, Elcano had already sailed the Atlantic and participated in several commercial expeditions.
During their voyage, the crew of the Victoria survived by drinking rainwater, lemon juice, and even sap from palm trees to fend off scurvy.
Elcano was among the few who made it back to Spain alive. Out of the 270 men who embarked on the journey, only 18 returned.
He was reputedly an expert in celestial navigation, using stars and other heavenly bodies to chart their course on the open sea.
In recognition of his achievements, Elcano was granted a lifetime pension and the noble title of «hidalgo.» Today, the Spanish Navy honors him with the training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano, which has sailed worldwide representing Spain.
Learn with Elcano
Circunnavegation
Elcano shares firsthand tales of the grand explorations of his era.
Survival Stories
His journey is one of resilience, navigating territories previously unknown to Western explorers.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Sailors of the time mastered tools like the astrolabe, compass, and cross-staff.
Curious to Know More?
Fancy a face-to-face chat with Elcano?
Interested in bringing this historical figure to your school or museum?
Want to dive deeper into Elcano’s adventures?
Reach out to us, and let’s embark on this journey together!
