SEVILLE. Following a firing of guns, five ships set off from Seville with 239 sailors, captained by Ferdinand Magellan, with the intention of undertaking an expedition ... (...)

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10th August 1519


Following a firing of guns, five ships set off from Seville with 239 sailors, captained by Ferdinand Magellan, with the intention of undertaking an expedition that would open up a new route to reach the Spice Islands via thewest, observing the Treaty of Tordesillas.

SANLÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA. Once prepared and equipped for a voyage that is calculated to take two years, they set sail from the port of Sanlúcar ... (...)

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20th September 1519


Once prepared and equipped for a voyage that is calculated to take two years, they set sail from the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in search of the southeast winds

TENERIFE. The ships sail down as far as the Canary Islands to catch the force of the wind. They stop at Tenerife, an island which attracts the attention ... (...)

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26th September 1519


The ships sail down as far as the Canary Islands to catch the force of the wind. They stop at Tenerife, an island which attracts the attention of the chronicler Pigafetta because it never rains and it has trees that collect waterin their leaves.

CAPE VERDE. They set a direct course south, passing between Cape Verde and the coast of Guinea, sailing for several days until the wind... (...)

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3rd October 1519


They set a direct course south, passing between Cape Verde and the coast of Guinea, sailing for several days until the wind is favourable.

SANTA LUCÍA. They pass the equator, and with the North Star to one side, they enter the port of Santa Lucía, now Rio de Janeiro. It is like coming to Paradise ... (...)

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13th December 1519


They pass the equator, and with the North Star to one side, they enter the port of Santa Lucía, now Rio de Janeiro. It is like coming to Paradise. There they take on supplies of meat, potatoes, pineapples and other foodstuffs, trading small mirrors, bells, playing cards and other trinkets for them.

RIVER PLATE. They sail down as far as the River Plate, then known as the River Solís, for its discoverer Juan de Solís, who according to Pigafetta, was devoured by ... (...)

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13th January 1520


They sail down as far as the River Plate, then known as the River Solís, for its discoverer Juan de Solís, who according to Pigafetta, was devoured by thecannibals that inhabited the area. On this river, they had expected to find passage to the South Sea, the existence of which was known because it wasdiscovered by Núñez de Balboa in 1503. As this was not the case, the expedition has to maintain a southward course, going into undiscovered territory, sailing southward from the River Plate and entering unknown territory.

PORT SAINT JULIAN. As winter is approaching, they settle down in Saint Julian, where the carrackSantiago is wrecked while inspecting the coasts.To the hunger and cold is added the mutiny ... (...)

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31st March 1520


As winter is approaching, they settle down in Saint Julian, where the carrackSantiago is wrecked while inspecting the coasts. To the hunger and cold is added the mutiny being led by Juan de Cartagena. The commanders of the other four carracks, all Spanish, do not accept Magellan’s leadership of the expedition, as a foreigner to the crown, a Portuguese. During this period, Magellan discovers that they are going to mutiny against him and harshly puts them down, executing one of the ringleaders and leaving Juan de Cartagena himself on land. During this stay, they make contact with the Patagones, inhabitants of Patagonia, known in the literature for their large size.

STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. In search of the desired passage to the South Sea, the captain opts to take the ‘Canal of the Eleven Thousand Virgins’ (Strait of Magellan). Magellan sends two ships ... (...)

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21st October 1520


In search of the desired passage to the South Sea, the captain opts to take the ‘Canal of the Eleven Thousand Virgins’ (Strait of Magellan). Magellan sends two ships, the San Antonio and Concepción, to determine whether it definitely flows into open sea. The San Antonio, piloted by Esteban Gómez, deserts in the night. On its return to Spain, it will stop to pick up Juan Cartagena from his punishment. With two fewer ships, the hazardous and uncertain sailing between islands and channels continues until it reaches the South Sea.

CAPE DESEADO. The strait is inhospitable and they do not have a clear idea where it will lead. Finally, on reaching the cape that marks the gateway to the South Sea, the crew ... (...)

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28th November 1520


The strait is inhospitable and they do not have a clear idea where it will lead. Finally, on reaching the cape that marks the gateway to the South Sea,the crew shed tears of joy and call it Cape Deseado (Cape Desired).

PACIFIC OCEAN. The Pacific crossing is longer than expected. They sail four months without making landfall. Its size is almost the same as the rest of the previously known world ... (...)

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PACIFIC OCEAN.


The Pacific crossing is longer than expected. They sail four months without making landfall. Its size is almost the same as the rest of the previously known world. To the uncertainty of the voyage are added the hunger and scurvy that devastate a large part of the crew. However, it is not all bad news, the new sea is calm and favourable in its winds and storms, which makes sailing easier. It is for this reason that they christen it the Pacific.

CAROLINE OR FLINT ISLAND. The first land they find is two uninhabited islets, two virgin islands, which they dub the Islas Infortunadas (Unfortunate Islands) or Islas de los Tiburones (Shark Islands) ... (...)

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24th–25th January 1521


The first land they find is two uninhabited islets, two virgin islands, which they dub the Islas Infortunadas (Unfortunate Islands) or Islas delos Tiburones (Shark Islands), because of the fish of this species that surround them. Without knowing it yet, they have just set foot on Oceania.

MARIANA ISLANDS. The first inhabited islands they come upon, after four months of extreme conditions, are the Marianas, among them theisland of Guam, where they are not well received ... (...)

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6th March 1521


The first inhabited islands they come upon, after four months of extreme conditions, are the Marianas, among them the island of Guam, where they are not well received and experience a somewhat complicated first contact. The inhabitants approach the ships and steal everything they can, including the skiff from the Trinidad. It is forthis reason that they are referred to as the Islas de los Ladrones (Thieves’ Islands).

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. They find the Philippines (which at the time they call the St Lawrence Islands). Here Magellan establishes very good relations with the natives ... (...)

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16th March 1521


They find the Philippines (which at the time they call the St Lawrence Islands). Here Magellan establishes very good relations with the natives, with the aim of adding this territory to the Spanish crown. In this, the captain relies on his slave Enrique, brought from previous voyages to Indonesia and known to the crew as ‘the tongue’ or the interpreter

LIMASAWA. Thanks to the interpreter, Magellan establishes good relations with the natives. Here Magellan says his first mass together with the islanders ... (...)

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25th March 1521


Thanks to the interpreter, Magellan establishes good relations with the natives. Here Magellan says his first mass together with the islanders, on Easter Sunday. From then on, they begin to hold baptismand evangelisation rituals with the kings and other inhabitants of Massana (Limasawa) and nearby Zubu (Cebu).

CEBU. They reach Zubu (Cebu), the beginning of a longer stay and a great friendship between Magellan and the king of Zubu. The exchanges of gifts ... (...)

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7th April 1521


They reach Zubu (Cebu), the beginning of a longer stay and a great friendship between Magellan and the king of Zubu. The exchanges of gifts and shows of respect are reciprocal. The captain, always under the guidance of his interpreter, informs them of the benefits of the protection of the Crown of Castile and of baptism.

MACTAN. Near the island of Zubu (Cebu), there is another island called Matan (Mactan), where one of the kings, Cilapulapu (Lapu-Lapu), clashes with Magellan and the monarch he represents ... (...)

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27th April 1521


Near the island of Zubu (Cebu), there is another island called Matan (Mactan), where one of the kings, Cilapulapu (Lapu-Lapu), clashes with Magellan and the monarch he represents, refusing to pay him thetribute he demands.The next morning, Magellan disembarks on the island with the intention of subduing them by force, but the battle gets complicated and Magellan dies by a native spear, leaving the expedition leaderless.

MACTAN. Enrique, the slave who Magellan promised freedom upon hisdeath, finds out that this is not to be the case, and that he will even have to serve ... (...)

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1st May 1521


Enrique, the slave who Magellan promised freedom upon his death, finds out that this is not to be the case, and that he will even have to serve Beatriz, Magellan’s wife, upon his return. The interpreter wastes no time in alerting the king of the island of how he can take possession of all the goods being carried by the carracks. To this end, the king invites a large number of the ships’ top-ranking officers to dinner, slitting their throats before dessert and keeping Juan Serrano as a hostage. In response to this situation, Juan Carbalho orders the ships to depart, leaving the interpreter and the prisoner on land

BOHOL. The one hundred and fifteen survivors leave Cebu, sailing ten leagues, to the island of Bohol. There, as they do not have enough men left .. (...)

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1st May 1521


The one hundred and fifteen survivors leave Cebu, sailing ten leagues, to the island of Bohol. There, as they do not have enough men left to operate the three carracks, they decide to burn the one in the worst condition, which is the Concepción. The remaining crew is divided between the Victoria and the Trinidad. Now only two ships remain.

BUTUAN. Continuing their voyage, they stop at Butuan to take on newprovisions. The king receives them kindly with blood rituals ... (...)

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May 1521


Continuing their voyage, they stop at Butuan to take on new provisions. The king receives them kindly with blood rituals, symbols of friendship, typical of those islands.

PALAWAN. Seeking the route to the Moluccas, they stop at several islands, it being on the largest of them where they find more provisions and supplies. This discovery is very fortunate ... (...)

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June 1521


Seeking the route to the Moluccas, they stop at several islands, it being on the largest of them where they find more provisions and supplies. This discovery is very fortunate for the continuation of the voyage, as they are insuch terrible condition that they require several days to repair the ships.

They continue to follow their course in search of the Moluccas ... (...)

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October 1521


They continue to follow their course in search of the Moluccas ...

BORNEO. They reach Burne (Borneo), where the king comes out to welcome them in a large canoe, the stern and the bow adorned with gold, and a whiteand blue canopy ... (...)

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9th October 1521


They reach Burne (Borneo), where the king comes out to welcome them in alarge canoe, the stern and the bow adorned with gold, and a white and blue canopy, topped with a bundle of peacock feathers. In the canoe, the musicians play sikus and drums. As they reach land, they are taken on large elephants to the royal palace, where Raja Siripada receives them with every luxury and kindness.

SANGIR. They continue their route and stop at several islands. Finally, they enter a port where they take two pilots by force, who will lead them to the Moluccas ... (...)

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October 1521


They continue their route and stop at several islands. Eventually, they enter a port where they take two pilots by force, who will lead them to the Moluccas

MOLUCCA ISLANDS. At last, they have reached the clove, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg islands, the Moluccas ... (...)

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6th November 1521


At last, they have reached the clove, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg islands, the Moluccas.

TIDORE. They anchor at the largest of the Moluccas, Tadore (Tidore), where they are received with great kindness. Their relations are not hindered by quarrels between ... (...)

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8th November 1521


They anchor at the largest of the Moluccas, Tadore (Tidore), where they are received with great kindness. Their relations are not hindered by quarrels between chieftains and internal disputes. On this occasion, they are more prudent, avoiding large banquets and close contact with the natives. They remain there the appropriate amount of time to enable them to load the ships with spices in exchange for regulated trade goods and religiously weighed and paid-for purchases. The islands are accustomed to trade.

TIDORE. On departure, the Trinidad springs a leak. They try to repair it, but even with the assistance and diving skill of the natives, it is not enough ... (...)

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21st December 1521


On departure, the Trinidad springs a leak. They try to repair it, but even withthe assistance and diving skill of the natives, it is not enough. The idea of returning along the same route disappears; no one has ever made the return voyage before. In response to the bad news, they divvy up the options: the Trinidad, under the command of Juan Carvalho and with 53 European crew members, remains on the island of Tadore until it is repaired and will try to return via the Strait of Magellan. The Victoria, with 47 European crew members and 17 natives, under the leadership of Juan Sebastián Elcano, returns by the eastern route, flouting the treaties with the Portuguese. Both ships set said with a firing of guns. Only one remains en route.

BURU. They stop at the island of Buru to restock provisions for the return: ‘We found an abundance of supplies, such as pigs, goats, hens, sugar cane ... (...)

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December 1521


They stop at the island of Buru to restock provisions for the return: ‘We found an abundance of provisions, such as pigs, goats, hens, sugar cane, coconuts, sago, a stew made of bananas they call chanali, and chiacare, also known by the name nanga.’

TIMOR. The situation between the two empires forces them to sail a great distance from the coast in order to avoid discovery. However, at this point, itis felt that the expedition ... (...)

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25th January 1522


The situation between the two empires forces them to sail a great distance from the coast in order to avoid discovery. However, at this point, it is felt that the expedition will no longer hold out; the Portuguese crown has issued a search and arrest order for them. They stop at the island of Timor, where they are welcomed by one of the chiefs, who provides them with supplies to prepare for such a great odyssey, with no stops, to Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

INDIAN OCEAN. They leave Timor and enter the great sea known as Laut-Chidot (Indian Ocean) ... (...)

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11th February 1522


They leave Timor and enter the great sea known as Laut-Chidot (Indian Ocean)

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. By the time they round the Cape of Good Hope, they have almost no provisions or water left. They must remain off this cape for nine weeks ... (...)

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6th April 1522


When they round the Cape of Good Hope, they have almost no provisions or water left. They must remain off this cape for nine weeks, with their sails struck, waiting for the winds they need to blow them to the north, without being seen. They withstand storms and adverse situations that demonstratetheir seafaring knowledge

CAPE VERDE. Severely weakened by conditions, they are dying of scurvy and starvation at a rate of almost one per day. Juan Sebastián Elcano knows that they could all die ... (...)

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9th July 1522


Severely weakened by conditions, they are dying of scurvy and starvation ata rate of almost one per day. Juan Sebastián Elcano knows that they could all die if they do not put in at the Cape Verde islands. Aware that this is enemy territory, he decides to chance it, stopping to take on provisions and water, provided they do not find out that they were Magellan’s expedition. At first the Portuguese believe them and negotiate, but they begin to suspect when they pull out the spices as coin of trade. They realise that it is Magellan’s expedition and go to take them prisoner. Their hasty departure results in 18 men being taken captive. With time, they and some of those who stayed behind in the Moluccas will return home. Additionally, in Cape Verde, to everyone’s surprise, they realise that their calendars do not match. Due to the time and solar changes, they have gained 24 hours.

SANLÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA. 18 famished and ill men enter the bay of Sanlúcar after travelling more than 14,460 leagues, sailing west to east the entire time ... (...)

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6th September 1522


18 famished and ill men enter the bay of Sanlúcar after travelling more than14,460 leagues, sailing west to east the entire time, meaning that they havemanaged to travel around the world. Although this was not the main aim of the expedition, they have demonstrated that the earth is round.

SEVILLE. ‘On Monday the 8th of September, we drop anchor near the quay at Seville and fire our guns. On Tuesday, we all go ashore in shirtsleeves ... (...)

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8th September 1522


‘On Monday the 8th of September, we drop anchor near the quay at Seville and fire our guns. On Tuesday, we all go ashore in shirtsleeves and barefoot,candle in hand, to visit the churches of Nuestra Señora de la Victoria and Santa María la Antigua, as we had promised to do in our moments of distress.’ Emperor Charles V summons Juan Sebastián Elcano to court, where he is raised to the rank of hidalgo and granted a coat of arms with two cinnamon branches together with the spices nutmeg and clove, topped by a helmet and globe crossed by the words primus circumdedisti me.