AN incredible full-size replica of a 17th-century Spanish tall ship is set to sail into Weymouth.

The Galeón Andalucía will visit Weymouth from Thursday, August 29 (arriving no later than 4pm) until 8pm on Monday, September 2.

It will be berthed at Weymouth Harbour, giving the public a rare opportunity to climb aboard the huge ship.

The Galeon Andalucia is the replica of the type of vessel used by the Spanish Crown for maritime expeditions during the 16th through to the 18th centuries.

The  Spanish tall ship visited Weymouth for two days in May last year.

Galleons were intended to discover and establish trade routes between Spain, America and The Philippines, and formed the then-called Fleet of the Indies.

The huge ships were designed to cross the largest oceans as efficiently as possible.

Galeón Andalucía is a 500-ton galleon, 160ft in length and with a beam of 32ft.

It took three years of research before construction began, before a 17-month construction effort with 150 people working to complete the impressive ship.

It was first launched in November 2009.

Four masts hold six sails which measure almost 11,000 square feet.

The average speed of the ship is around seven knots.

The tall ship has crossed the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Caribbean Sea.

Converted into a floating museum, the vessel offers a unique space for a diversity of events, as well as an interpretive centre dedicated to galleons.

A self-guided walking tour is available of the vessel and once on board, visitors are free to wander its decks, talk to actual crew members and view dozens of interactive exhibits, videos, projections and historical documents. Photos are also allowed. 

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £6 for children and £30 for families (two adults and up to 3 children between 5-10 years) and can be bought at the harbour or via www.velacuadra.es (website in Spanish).