In the wake of Magellan: the exhibition at the heart of the crossing at the National Maritime Museum

500 years ago, a crew of 237 men set sail from Seville into the Atlantic Ocean, heading west, eager for discovery, with Ferdinand Magellan as their captain. Their goal was to find a passage through the American continent to reach the Pacific Ocean directly and reach the Indies. This epic journey is recounted in an immersive exhibitionat the National Maritime Museum from October 22, 2025, to February 15, 2026.

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Immerse yourself in the adventures of Magellan and his men thanks to an interactive display combining animated sets, projections, and narrated stories, recreated using documentary research and images from the audiovisual series "The Incredible Journey of Magellan."

A chronological journey around the world that addresses both the political challenges of such an expedition and the harshness of life at sea with its share of deaths, but also the wonder of seeing new lands and peoples upon arrival.

This is an opportunity to experience this major chapter in history, which changed the way we navigate and see the world, through an exhibition that also highlights the forgotten figures and legacy of this expedition.

On September 8, 1522, only 18 weakened sailors returned without their captain, aboard the last of the five ships, after accomplishing the greatest maritime feat of all: a complete circumnavigation of the globe by sea.

Here, there are no large paintings or objects on display; the atmosphere is more conduciveto listening and observing. In an 830m² space, visitors navigate their way through maps, infographics, giant screen projections of landscapes and drawings by Ugo Bienvenu, and a ship's hold, guided by the voice of a crew member recounting the voyage. From room to room, visitors learn more about the journey, finding it easier to put themselves in the sailors' shoes.

The sounds from one room to another tend to add up, which can make it difficult to concentrate on one soundtrack if you are in between the two. If you were expecting a historical exhibition with lots of exhibits, this is definitely not the case here, apart from a model of a ship and an ancient book.

While the reproduction of the hold is very immersive, the space seems rather empty overall, relying mainly onsound effects and visual projections.

There are also interviews that provide a better understanding of the challenges of the voyage, and infographics in each section that show the crew's descent into hell and the dwindling number of ships, immersing visitors in the hell of the crossing. It is advisable to wait until the sound in one room has stopped before moving on to the next, so as not to miss anything of the voyage!

This exhibition should appeal to curious visitors who want to understand Magellan's voyage from a lively and sensitive perspective that differs from history books, but it may not be suitable if you prefer quiet visits, or for children who may not be patient enough to listen to the whole story. Those who prefer more traditional exhibitions may also be left wanting.

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