The Pinta and the Nina, replicas of Columbus’s ships, will visit Lewes Friday, May 29. The ships will be docked at the City Dock on Front Street until their early morning departure Monday, June 1.

Nicola Pizza and Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz are promoting this event. Plans are in the works for the jazz festival to present a band and welcome committee at the dock when the ships arrive.

Nick Caggiano of Nicola Pizza supports this event, as he was a promoter of last year’s induction of a moment commemorating Italian explorer Giovanni Verrazano during last year’s jazz festival.

The Nina was built by hand and without the use of power tools.

She was called “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built,” by Archaeology magazine. Craftmanship of construction and the details in the rigging make it a fascinating visit back to the Age of Discovery. The Nina was used in the production of the film, “1492,” starring Gerard Depardieu.

“It’s an educational vessel that focuses on nautical history and archaeology,” said Morgan Pruyn Sanger, senior captain of both ships.

“These were the space shuttles of the 15th century, and we have the only two ships in the world, both of them seaworthy, that were built to this level of authenticity.”

The Pinta was recently built in Brazil to accompany the Nina on all of her travels. She is a larger version of the archetypal caravel and offers larger deck space for walk-aboard tours. She has a 900-sq.-ft. main salon down below to view slide shows of the ships’ construction. The Pinta is available for private parties while in port.

While in port, the public is invited to visit the ships for walk-aboard, self-guided tours. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors; and $5 for children. Children 4 and under will be admitted free.

The ship is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservations are necessary.

Teachers wishing to schedule a 30-minute guided tour with a crew member should call 787-672-2152. Minimum of 15. Admission for school tours is $3 per person.

For more information, visit www.thenina.com