The Little Castle
Five hundred years ago, Sanlúcar de Barrameda was the starting point of the longest voyage of an era: the first circumnavigation of the world. Begun by Ferdinand Magellan in 1519 and completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano and the crew of the Victoria in 1522, this epic journey not only represents the greatest maritime adventure of all time, but also a fundamental milestone in history and the ultimate symbol of humankind’s spirit of exploration.
Today, located at the “zero mile” of that historic voyage, “El Castillito” has been reborn as the new EXPLORATERRA SANLÚCAR SPACE. This permanent exhibition center invites visitors to relive the First Circumnavigation of the World and pays a well-deserved tribute to pioneers of all eras. A space where the past and future of exploration meet.
Explore the past, discover the future
A journey through space and the senses. Located on the emblematic Avenida Bajo de Guía, the building features:
- 440 m² of total surface area, distributed over two levels (ground floor and semi-basement).
- 10 exhibition rooms (five per floor), connected by two main corridors that act as the backbone of the visit.
The Experience
Thanks to a meticulously crafted “immense blue” paint scheme, visitors are immersed in a profound oceanic atmosphere. As they move through the galleries, the environment evolves in harmony with the original voyage. Through a rich combination of audiovisual resources, immersive sets, and facsimiles, the public will discover the origins of the “Moluccas Armada,” meet its true protagonists, and relive the momentous events of this journey and its indelible legacy in world history.
