La Grace

La Grace is a replica of a historic brigantine from the second half of the 18th century, designed to sail the world’s seas and oceans. Her primary mission is to revive Czech maritime tradition, offering members of the La Grace Club the opportunity to sail aboard a historic vessel while learning the art of navigation and its centuries-old traditions. As a training ship, La Grace represents a key reference point for maritime education, promoting the transmission of knowledge and skills connected with life at sea.

The name La Grace recalls the historic vessel of Augustin Heřman, the first prominent Czech sailor, who crossed the Atlantic several times in the service of the Dutch West India Company. After gaining independence, Heřman turned to privateering in the Caribbean Sea, targeting Spanish merchant ships aboard his vessel, La Grace.

Construction of the ship began in 2008 with the involvement of hundreds of enthusiasts and volunteers, at a shipyard in Egypt that still employs traditional shipbuilding methods. The vessel was officially launched on 5 December 2010. The choice of an Egyptian shipyard was driven by its ability to preserve ancient construction techniques, a fundamental aspect in ensuring the historical accuracy of the project.

La Grace has also achieved significant sporting success, standing out in international competitions. She won the prestigious Lycamobile Mediterranean Tall Ships Regatta, taking first place both in Class A and in the overall standings, ahead of 31 vessels—an unprecedented achievement for a Czech ship in this category. In 2015, she secured second place in The Tall Ships Races, on the leg from Belfast to Aalborg, once again confirming her outstanding sailing and competitive qualities.