The history of humanity changed forever on 8 September 1522, when 18 survivors returned to Seville after completing the first circumnavigation of the globe. What we now know as the feat of Magellan and Elcano was called the Spice Fleet in its day and was an unprecedented achievement in the history of navigation.
When did the first circumnavigation begin?
The voyage began on 10 August 1519, when five ships set sail from the Muelle de las Mulas in Seville, commanded by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan. The objective: to reach the Spice Islands by sailing westward.
The expedition faced countless challenges: storms, hunger, disease and conflict. Of the five original ships, only one — the Nao Victoria — managed to complete the voyage. Of the 239 men who set sail, only 18 returned alive.
Magellan dies, Elcano takes command.
Magellan died in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. It was then that Juan Sebastián Elcano, master of the Concepción, took command of the Nao Victoria and made a strategic decision: to avoid the dangers of the Pacific and sail around Africa to the south through the Indian Ocean, bypassing the ports controlled by the Portuguese.
This manoeuvre would allow the expedition to return alive to Spanish territory.
The return of the Nao Victoria to Seville
On 6 September 1522, the Nao Victoria arrived in Sanlúcar de Barrameda after more than three years at sea. That same day, they took a boat to sail up the Guadalquivir River to Seville due to the poor condition of the ship. On 8 September, they arrived in Seville, where they were welcomed by the city authorities, members of the Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) and a large crowd.
Curiously, that day was the feast day of the Virgin of Victory, to whom the crew had entrusted themselves when they set sail.
A promise fulfilled: procession to the Virgin of Victory
On 9 September, the survivors left the ship, dressed only in shirts and carrying candles, and held an emotional procession of thanksgiving. They made their way to the Convent of La Victoria in Triana, where the image of the Virgin of Victory was located (today this image is in the Parish Church of Santa Ana). It was in this convent that Magellan swore allegiance to the flags of the five ships.
The delegation then moved on to Seville Cathedral to pay homage to the Virgin of Antigua, to whom all sailors prayed before setting sail. which is why the flags of all the American countries can be seen today on the ceiling of the Chapel of La Antigua, and at the entrance to the chapel there is a plaque commemorating the exploits of the Spice Fleet. If you want to discover all the secrets of Seville Cathedral, we recommend you take our night tour of the cathedral with an audiovisual show.
Cathedral of Seville Guided Night Tour
What did the first circumnavigation mean for humanity?
– It confirmed that the Earth is round and larger than previously believed.
– New species of flora and fauna were discovered.
– It demonstrated the feasibility of connecting the oceans by sea.
This maritime feat, led by Magellan and completed by Elcano, marked a turning point in world history and consolidated Seville’s role as the capital of global trade in the 16th century.
Would you like to relive this historic adventure?
Don’t miss our PastView Magellan activity, where you can travel back in time and learn all the secrets of this legendary expedition.
Explore Seville like never before and let yourself be carried away by history.
