Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Sanlúcar de Barrameda stands at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, where ships sailing to and from Seville met the Atlantic. Held by the dukes of Medina Sidonia, the port prospered as fleets bound for the Americas gathered and made their final preparations here. On 20 September 1519 five ships departed Sanlúcar under Ferdinand Magellan in search of a route to the Spice Islands. Nearly three years later only the Victoria returned, commanded by Juan Sebastián Elcano. Its surviving crew had completed the first voyage around the world.