THE MATTHEW LEGACY

START YOUR VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

A truly amazing journey in time

In 1497, a small wooden ship called the Matthew set sail from Bristol, England destined for the Far East. Onboard was the Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto with a crew of around twenty men. Within six weeks, they made landfall. They landed, not as intended in the fabled land of Cathay, but on the shores of the New World.

Here, they discovered a treasure that would change the course of history. Come, discover the story of Caboto and his crew.

THE SHIP

Upcoming Events

Harbour Fall Fest
Sat, Oct 07
Bonavista
Oct 07, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. NDT
Bonavista, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
Oct 07, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. NDT
Bonavista, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
Harbour Fall Fest is a celebration of community and connection, right in the heart of beautiful Bonavista, NL.
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Haunted Ship
Sat, Oct 28
Matthew Legacy Site
Oct 28, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. NDT
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
Oct 28, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. NDT
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
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Christmas Makers Market
Sat, Nov 18
Matthew Legacy Site
Nov 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
Nov 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
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ON SALE SOON
Christmas By Candlelight
Time is TBD
Matthew Legacy Site
Time is TBD
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
Time is TBD
Matthew Legacy Site, 15 Roper St, Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0, Canada
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19

crewe members

Cabot sailed under the flag of England from Bristol. The ship, The Matthew, had a crew of just 19 men. Cabot led a fearful crew, with reports suggesting they never ventured more than a crossbow’s shot into the land.

A Voyage of Discovery

ton vessel

50

Cabot’s ship was named the Matthew, almost certainly after his wife Mattea. It was a navicula, meaning a relatively small vessel, of 50 toneles – able to carry 50 tons of wine or other cargo.

35

days at sea

On 2nd May 1497 Cabot set sail from Bristol England. He planned to sail west across the Atlantic and find a route to China and the Indies. His voyage to the New Found Land took him 35 days.

Step on Board

This 92-foot-long wooden caravel is a full-scale reproduction of the ship that carried Caboto and his crew from Bristol to the New World in 1497.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Hours

Regular Season

June – September
9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

* subject to change without notice

Off-Season

October – April

By appointment only

May / September

Reduced hours

Fees

Adult: $7.00

Kids: $3.00 (ages 6-12)

Kids 5 and under: Free

Students: $6.00

Seniors: $6.00

* subject to change without notice

Groups

We welcome group tours for guided and self-guided exploration of our site. Guided tours should be scheduled at least one week in advance. Please contact us for group pricing.