GALLEON – war and merchant sailing vessel from the 16th and the 17th century and one of the most appreciated vessels in th world.

A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by the nations of Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries. Whether used for war or commerce, they were generally armed with the demi-culverin type of cannon. Galleons were an evolution of the caravel and carrack, for the new great ocean going voyages. A lowering of the forecastle and elongation of the hull gave an unprecedented level of stability in the water, and reduced wind resistance at the front, leading to a faster, more maneuverable vessel. The galleon differed from the older types primarily by being longer, lower and narrower, with a square tuck stern instead of a round tuck, and by having a snout or head projecting forward from the bows below the level of the forecastle. Dubrovnik and Spanish galleon was the most famous. Sometimes it had more than 300 crew members. Ragusans built galleons on domestic and foreign shipyards.