Vespucci Farewell Gun Salute

Earlier this morning, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna carried out a ceremonial farewell gun salute in honour of the Amerigo Vespucci, a distinguished tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare).

The Amerigo Vespucci is named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, whose voyages contributed to the naming of the American continents. Homeported in La Spezia, Italy, she serves as a training vessel for naval cadets and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ships afloat.

Farewell gun salutes are a time-honoured maritime tradition, typically rendered when a naval vessel departs from a port following a formal visit. Such salutes express respect, friendship, and goodwill between nations and navies.

Traditionally, salutes are fired in odd numbers. The old superstition was that an odd number was considered divine or “lucky” and used to mark joyous occasions whereas even numbers were often used to mark solemn occasions such as funerals.