The Amerigo Vespucci Returns to the Port of Civitavecchia: Visiting Days and Hours

The Amerigo Vespucci Returns to the Port of Civitavecchia

We are thrilled to announce that the Italian Navy’s training ship Amerigo Vespucci will make its glorious return to the port of Civitavecchia. The “Lady of the Seas” will be moored at dock 16 of the port of Civitavecchia as part of her Italian Tour.

The ship will be open to the public for visits! Keep reading to find out the visiting days and hours...

The “Lady of the Seas”: a little history and some fun facts

Launched on February 22, 1931, at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyards, the Vespucci turns 95 this year and is still in service as the Italian Navy’s training ship. Nicknamed the “Lady of the Seas,” she is widely considered the most beautiful ship in the world.

Here are some quick facts:

• The design. She was designed by Francesco Rotundi, Lieutenant Colonel of the Naval Engineering Corps and director of the Stabia shipyards, together with her twin ship, the Cristoforo Colombo.
• The mission. Every year she trains the officer cadets of the Naval Academy of Livorno, as well as VFP4 volunteers and students of the “Francesco Morosini” Naval Military School. Training cruises have been suspended only in 1940, because of the war, and in 1964, 1973 and 1997 for major maintenance works.
• What kind of ship is she? She is a full-rigged sailing ship with an auxiliary engine: three vertical masts (fore, main and mizzen) carrying square sails, plus the bowsprit at the bow.
• The crew. About 270 military personnel, men and women, live on board. During the summer training cruise, with the cadets on board, there are more than 400 people on the ship.
• The refit. Between 2014 and 2016, the La Spezia Navy Arsenal replaced her engines, generators and propeller and modernized the living quarters, with more environmentally friendly systems.
• UNICEF Ambassador since September 2007.

How to visit the Amerigo Vespucci in Civitavecchia

Unless there are organizational changes, the public will be able to visit the Amerigo Vespucci according to the following schedule:

• Thursday, November 12: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Friday, November 13: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Saturday, November 14: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Sunday, November 15: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Monday, November 16: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

We will update this page if there are any changes to the visiting days and hours.

With the free Port Mobility shuttle

During the afternoon visits, Port Mobility will run a free shuttle bus service for visitors between Molo Sardegna (Pope John Paul II Pier) and pier 16, where the ship will be moored.

The shuttle will run on visiting days from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

On foot: gates and distances

If you prefer, you can enter the port through one of the five pedestrian gates, which are connected to pier 16 by dedicated signposted routes, and walk to the ship. Waiting areas for visitors in line will be set up near the ship.

Traffic and parking restrictions in the port

The Amerigo Vespucci cannot be reached by car. Molo Sardegna and pier 16 will be closed to traffic for the entire duration of the event.

• No parking from 2:00 pm on November 11, 2026, with towing enforced, on Molo Sardegna (piers 4 and 5), pier 16, the area in front of pier 15, and the transit areas in front of the Barbagia and piers 2 and 14.
• No transit or parking from 9:00 am on November 12 until November 18 on Molo Sardegna and pier 16, including the adjoining yards. Only emergency vehicles, police forces and technical-nautical service operators are exempt.
• Within the port, traffic must follow the instructions of staff from the Port System Authority, the Coast Guard and Port Mobility.

With the free Port Mobility shuttle

During the afternoon visits, Port Mobility will run a free shuttle bus service for visitors between Molo Sardegna (Pope John Paul II Pier) and pier 16, where the ship will be moored.

The shuttle will run on visiting days from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

On foot: gates and distances

If you prefer, you can enter the port through one of the five pedestrian gates, which are connected to pier 16 by dedicated signposted routes, and walk to the ship. Waiting areas for visitors in line will be set up near the ship.

Traffic and parking restrictions in the port

The Amerigo Vespucci cannot be reached by car. Molo Sardegna and pier 16 will be closed to traffic for the entire duration of the event.

• No parking from 2:00 pm on November 11, 2026, with towing enforced, on Molo Sardegna (piers 4 and 5), pier 16, the area in front of pier 15, and the transit areas in front of the Barbagia and piers 2 and 14.
• No transit or parking from 9:00 am on November 12 until November 18 on Molo Sardegna and pier 16, including the adjoining yards. Only emergency vehicles, police forces and technical-nautical service operators are exempt.
• Within the port, traffic must follow the instructions of staff from the Port System Authority, the Coast Guard and Port Mobility

Useful tips

We recommend leaving your car outside the restricted port areas and walking to one of the gates, or to Molo Sardegna to wait for the shuttle.

On weekdays only one shuttle will be available, so waiting times may be longer.