The discovery

The Circe 1915 was listed for sale in September 2021, on the small island of Paxos, near Corfu.
A few weeks later, Lucio Donatini, Giorgio Ferluga, my father Giulio Veronesi, and I set off to see this magnificent "old lady" for ourselves.
It was a challenging four days, filled with questions, doubts, and obstacles. We had to assess whether the trip was feasible. While the sailing ship was the perfect size, we encountered some precarious conditions. The small island was also hit by a storm, which made our return journey even more complicated.
As we made our way back, we were all immersed in a sea of thoughts about what the future might hold for this incredible project.

The purchase and the first trip

After several months of evaluating the feasibility of transporting the ship to Lake Garda, I made my proposal. To my great happiness, it was accepted, and the adventure began.
The first heavy carpentry work was carried out in Corfu in the summer of 2022, which required me to travel frequently to Greece to monitor the progress of the work.
After facing many challenges with my dad, on September 19, 2022, we set out from the old marina in Corfu, accompanied by Danijel, the Slovenian captain, and two of his crew members. The journey to the marina in Portorož, Slovenia, was long and demanding, lasting 65 hours through very rough seas. Despite the unpleasant conditions, this experience allowed me to observe the stability of the sailing ship, even in such difficult weather.

The Beginning of the Restoration

Upon our arrival in Portorož, our trusted shipwright, Giorgio Ferluga, was waiting for us. Suddenly, everything seemed easier, especially since the sailing ship was only a 4-hour drive from home, making everything more manageable.
The restoration process began and lasted nearly three months. During this time, we worked on both the hull and the masts. We relocated the entire family to an apartment in Portorož, where we stayed with our friend Massimiliano Pellucci.
A significant amount of work was needed to completely empty the interior of the boat, leaving only the engine. On the exterior, the hull was fully refurbished in preparation for the final leg of the journey to Lake Garda. Many important decisions had to be made, and we faced numerous challenges due to the innovative modifications and development work on the hull, which is entirely made of wood.

The launch and the last voyage

On November 30, a newly refurbished Circe was launched into the sea, her hull completely repainted and shimmering, ready to sail the last miles in saltwater before touching fresh water forever. On December 2, we crossed the Adriatic with Captain Danijel, my father (an engineer), and me, accompanied by my mentor and friend Gianluca Fertonani, a professional captain on the lake.
After 12 hours of navigation, we arrived at the mouth of the Po River, where the sailing ship was docked for a day to reorganize before continuing our journey along the White Canal. The captain changed; the sea expert returned home, and aboard us came a new captain, skilled in river and canal navigation. In another 12 hours, crossing almost the entire Po Valley, we passed through five locks and navigated under numerous bridges, eventually reaching the port of Valdaro in the city of Mantua. It seemed almost impossible, given the considerable size of the sailing ship, but, despite the limited draft, it was doable.

Wheeled transport

After a day of rest, a delicate and complicated operation began: the loading of the hull onto the special truck from Bonatti Trasporti. Thanks to a 350-ton crane truck from a Danish company, I learned the real weight of Circe for the first time—a figure that was, to say the least, impressive.
The loading operations started at 7:00 AM and were completed around 4:30 PM. As the day went on, my tension grew, because for the first time in 107 years of life, this "old lady" was being transported overland, on an exceptional transport rig, for about 70 kilometers.
At 11:00 PM on December 6, 2022, the exceptional transport began, escorted by three specialized vehicles to help navigate the convoy through difficult passages. After about three hours and many challenging maneuvers, we finally arrived in Peschiera del Garda.

Launching in fresh water

The following day, the crane truck arrived and positioned itself. By late morning, after all the preparations were completed, the launch began. At around 12:00 PM on December 7, 2022, Circe 1915 touched the waters of Lake Garda for the first time. It was a unique, deeply emotional moment—intense and difficult to put into words.

The final part of the restoration

From that point onward, the challenges continued—ranging from securing the final mooring to the complex interior restoration, and culminating in the masting that took place about six months later.
The restoration was carried out with precision and care, adhering to European regulations and practical considerations that would later be applied when working with our future customers.
Two engineers worked closely with us, overseeing each step to ensure we could obtain the necessary work permits. Their guidance, along with many discussions and problem-solving sessions, accompanied us for about a year and a half, allowing us to complete the restoration.
We changed moorings three times before finally finding the definitive location, though it still required some adjustments. Along the way, we received invaluable support from many people who proved to be great friends.
This was a long, arduous, and intricate project, but by the end of June 2024, we completed the restoration. The 109-year-old vessel emerged fully repainted and gleaming, with all new electrical and mechanical systems, redesigned interiors, and numerous improvements—revealing the charm it has today.
Throughout the process, we were supported by many skilled technicians, but at the forefront of this journey were my family, along with Lucio Donatini, Massimiliano Pellucci, and my sailor Marco Arto.
The story has many more fascinating details, and we look forward to sharing them with you when you come aboard.