The replica of the 16th century Spanish galleon, now renamed the San Pelayo, has been invited by the Savannah Waterfront Association to visit Savannah again this year and open her decks to visitors.

This 170-foot long, 500-ton vessel will be docked at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, across from 115 East River st. and will be open for visitors today through Oct. 4 with the following opening hours:

Today-Oct. 1, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., when the ship will be featured on Savannah’s 32nd Annual Oktoberfest

Ticket prices are: $10 for adults; $5 children 5-12 years old, and kids under 5 are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the pier and through www.elgaleonshop.org.

After taking part on the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine as the replica of the Galeon San Pelayo, founder of the first city in the USA, the ship will sail north and up the Savannah River to open her decks and the exhibition that she holds to the citizens and visitors of the city. These ships were the primary merchant vessels around the world for 300 years, and manned by brave sailors, adventurers and merchants they were able to connect the continents creating the first global trading routes in history. They were an essential tool for the colonization of the New World and what maintained the economy of the Spanish Empire.

For more information about the El Galeón San Pelayo visit www.fundacionnaovictoria.org or www.riverstreetsavannah.com