STUNNING ITALIAN SAILING SHIP TO DOCK AT LARNACA - 29-31 August

From Cyprus Mail - CNA News Service article 21 August 2017

The Italian navy has chosen Larnaca as one of the ports of call for its stunning sailing ship Palinuro which trains cadets of the Italian navy’s Academy of Taranto.

A press release issued on Monday by the Italian embassy says that from August 28 until September 1, Cypriots will have the chance to visit one of the Italian navy’s most famous ships, built in 1934 and used as a training vessel since 1955 for hundreds of Italian cadets that started their careers on her decks, learning the basics of seamanship.

The training campaign is an essential activity in the cadets’ education, complementing the academic side of their studies.

Impeccably maintained in its original grandeur, Palinuro is part of an elite club of vintage ships. During its many decades in operation, she has sailed more than 300.000 nautical miles through most major ports of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The latest chapter in her rich history is the meeting she recently hosted between the Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The impressive ship has three masts over 35 metres tall; 1000 sq metres of sail plan, with 15 sails of various types (square sails, mainsails, gaff-topsail, staysails, jibs), spanning three decks.
Palinuro’s presence in Cyprus is also a testimony to the growing relations between Italy and Cyprus in the defence sector, the embassy said, following the visit to Nicosia of the Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti in July.

Visitors can visit the ship at Larnaκa Port, during the following hours:
– 29 August: between 10.00 to 12.00 and 16.00 to 17.30.
– 30 August: between 10.00 to 12.00 and 16.00 to 19.00
– 31 August: between 10.00 to 12.00 and 16.00 to 19.00

The Palinuro will leave Cyprus on September 1, setting sail for Rhodes before returning to Italy.