Viva Florida News
Viva Florida 500 Voyage commemorates five centuries since Juan Ponce de Leon arrival
The mainsails are being hoisted today on El Galeon as it begins its historic Viva Florida 500 Voyage on a route similar to Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon ‘s 500 years ago. His arrival marked the beginning of a European presence in what is now the U. S. mainland and Florida. El Galeon is a 170 foot, 495 ton, authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain’s West Indies fleet.