Spain, 1519. Five ships and 270 men leave the familiar shore behind on an extraordinary quest: to find a western sea passage to the sought-after Spice Islands of Indonesia. They’re led by the Portuguese seafarer and nobleman Ferdinand Magellan, setting out on a voyage that would change the world.
Three years later, the impossible has been done: the expedition becomes the first to circumnavigate the globe. It’s a historic achievement. Even half a millennium later, the name Magellan is celebrated and recognised the world over. His vision and drive mark the starting point of a development that radically alters our understanding of the Earth, triggering a chain reaction that still ripples through society today. This is the singular story of Magellan’s expedition, retold with fresh insights and fascinating details from a contemporary perspective.
