The vessel was built in 2000 at the shipyard of Vila do Conde to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil. Vera Cruz is used for sailing courses and maritime experiences, with a particular focus on young people. She also takes part in nautical events and competitions, conducts research into the sailing characteristics of historic caravels, and offers educational excursions for schools in Lisbon and other Portuguese ports.
The caravel (or caravela in Portuguese) was an iconic vessel of the Portuguese Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. This type of ship was renowned for its speed, manoeuvrability and ability to sail close to the wind. Thanks to her relatively small size and shallow draught, a caravel could easily navigate rivers along the African coast and, when necessary, be propelled by oars. The caravel played a crucial role in the expeditions of Portuguese explorers such as Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus, who is believed to have used a caravel alongside his larger ship, the Santa María.
The crew of Caravela Vera Cruz is made up of volunteers from Aporvela, who dedicate themselves to training voyages and sailing experiences, with a strong emphasis on education and youth development.
