King Alfonso XIII’s historic yacht “Hispania” prepares its return to Mallorca

Few vessels can boast of having survived for more than a century while continuing to inspire admiration wherever they go. The Hispania, designed by the renowned naval architect William Fife III for King Alfonso XIII and launched in 1909, is one of them.

Considered one of the jewels of Spanish classic sailing and officially designated a Cultural Heritage Asset, this historic yacht is now entering a new chapter with the goal of returning to the sea and becoming an educational, cultural, and heritage platform serving society.

Eva Sardà and Jonathan Syrett, leaders of the Hispania Project, recently visited the studios of Passion for the Sea to discuss the work being carried out to restore the vessel and return it to its rightful place within Spain’s maritime heritage.

The Hispania belongs to the exclusive International 15 Metre Class, one of the most prestigious sailing categories of the early 20th century. Built at the Pasajes shipyards in Gipuzkoa, it was conceived as a true racing yacht. “It’s the Formula 1 of the sea,” Jonathan Syrett remarked, referring to a vessel that, in its day, stood out for its speed, elegance, and ability to compete at the highest level.

After decades of sailing and a complex restoration undertaken several years ago, the yacht is now entering a new phase in which further work is needed to make it fully operational once again. Currently located in Cádiz, it is awaiting the start of the process that will enable its return to Mallorca. “Soon we’ll see her sailing again,” the project leaders said optimistically.

Before beginning this new chapter, the project faces a crucial first challenge: bringing the Hispania from Cádiz to Mallorca. The team is working with the aim of having the yacht arrive on the island within the coming months. “We would love to see her arrive this summer, or by September 1 at the latest,” explained Eva Sardà.

Transporting a historic vessel of this kind is a complex undertaking, and the project leaders are determined to carry it out with every possible guarantee. “We are exploring a very important partnership to transport the yacht aboard another vessel,” Sardà confirmed, adding that the moment will be “deeply impressive” and will provide a particularly symbolic image for the project.

The arrival of the Hispania in Palma would mark the starting point of its restoration in the Balearic Islands. According to the project leaders, significant support is already in place, including collaboration from Astilleros de Mallorca for the initial restoration work and from the Real Club Náutico de Palma, which has expressed its willingness to provide a berth for the vessel.

“We are supported by a strong network within Mallorca’s nautical sector, but we need to continue building support to make this a reality,” explained Syrett.

“The Hispania Project is a cultural, educational, and heritage initiative aimed at reactivating the yacht and transforming it into a floating museum accessible to the entire community,” said master shipwright Eva Sardà.

However, the vision extends far beyond restoring a historic vessel. The goal is to create a space where young people and adults can discover the world of traditional boatbuilding, classic sailing, and maritime heritage conservation.

For Eva Sardà, the value of the Hispania goes far beyond the yacht itself. “I am not simply restoring a boat; I am preserving maritime memory,” she said.

She emphasized that working on a vessel of this nature involves traditional craftsmanship techniques that are increasingly threatened by a lack of generational renewal. “Specialized skills are becoming scarcer every year, which is why we want the Hispania to help pass this knowledge on to future generations,” she explained.

The idea is for the restoration itself to become an educational tool. The project’s promoters want students, apprentices, and interested members of the public to participate in the work and discover maritime trades that are now at risk of disappearing.

“We would like to make Mallorca a benchmark for traditional boatbuilding and classic sailing,” Sardà noted.

Although the idea of turning the Hispania into a floating museum has been present from the outset, those behind the project insist that the yacht must remain alive. “A museum ship, yes, but a living ship. A vessel that sails, competes in regattas, and continues to demonstrate how people sailed more than a hundred years ago,” Syrett explained.

The intention is for the yacht to return to competition in some of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious classic sailing regattas while also serving year-round as a training vessel and educational platform.

In the medium term, the project leaders dream of seeing the Hispania sailing once again in the Bay of Palma alongside other historic yachts.

“To see the Hispania sailing in the Bay of Palma alongside the other International 15 Metres would be an immense pleasure,” Sardà concluded.