El Galeon, a full-size replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon tall ship, is set to return to Wilmington this summer.

In 2015, El Galeon sailed around the world, making a pit stop in Wilmington at the Port City Marina in August. The tall ship now plans to return to the marina on May 10 to promote and spread knowledge about historical events, according to a news release.

The event, sponsored by Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust, will offer tours on the ship for individuals, groups and sponsored events May 11-15. Group tours are available for school groups, museums, scouts and camps. 

From the 16th to the 18th century, galleons were the boats that took the lead role in the trade and cultural routes named the Indies fleets. These were the longest routes in length and lasted longer than any other in navigation history, according to the Nao Victoria website.

The Nao Victoria Foundation built El Galeon in Spain in 2009. The foundation constructed two ships (Nao Victoria and El Galeon) to sail throughout the ports of the world promoting and spreading historical events, according to the release.

El Galeon covered more than 35,000 nautical miles between 2010 to 2013 along the world’s largest seas and oceans, visiting ports in four continents and participating in many cultural projects. So far, visitors have been able to step on her decks in almost 50 ports all over the world, according to the Nao Victoria website.

Tickets for the event will be $10 for adults, $5 for children age 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Group tours will cost $5 per student, and chaperones will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are available wilmingtondocks.com and also on sale at the Port City Marina on the days of the tours, the release stated.