Pigafetta's Chronicle: The First Voyage Around the Globe

The account written by the Venetian knight Antonio Pigafetta is the primary and invaluable source on the first circumnavigation of the Earth (1519–1522). Driven by the desire for personal glory and to witness the wonders of the ocean, Pigafetta joined the expedition in Seville and recorded the fleet's daily events. His narrative is structured into four books, covering the journey from its beginning to its triumphant yet agonizing end.

Book I — The Atlantic, Patagonia, and the Strait

The adventure began in August 1519, when the squadron commanded by Ferdinand Magellan — five ships and 237 men — departed from Seville in search of a western route to the wealthy Spice Islands (the Moluccas). Magellan enforced strict discipline and established a complex nighttime navigation system using lanterns to keep the ships together.

After sailing down the African coast, the fleet reached the lush shores of Brazil, where they restocked supplies by trading European trinkets. Pigafetta described the flora, fauna, and customs of the natives: they went naked, slept in hanging nets called hamaks, lived in noisy communal longhouses (boy), and ate the flesh of their prisoners to settle ancestral vendettas.

Continuing south along South America, the harsh winter forced them to remain for five months in San Julián (Patagonia). They encountered the "Patagonians", men of gigantic stature dressed in guanaco skins, who believed in the demon Setebos. Their medicinal practices astonished Pigafetta: inducing vomiting by inserting an arrow into the mouth, or bleeding themselves with cuts to relieve pain. Magellan managed to capture two giants by trickery, chaining them with iron shackles.

Their stay was overshadowed by a bloody mutiny led by Spanish officers — swiftly suppressed by Magellan — and by the wreck of the ship Santiago.

On October 21, 1520, at 52° south latitude, they finally sighted the maritime passage, naming it the Strait of the Eleven Thousand Virgins. Amid the labyrinthine channels, the ship San Antonio deserted and returned to Spain, but the remaining vessels emerged into the long-awaited ocean.

Book II — The Hell of the Pacific, the Philippines, and Magellan's Death

They named the vast ocean "Pacific" because during three months and twenty days of navigation they encountered no storms — though the suffering from hunger was horrific. Without food or fresh water, the crew survived on worm-eaten biscuit dust, sawdust, rats, and hardened leather from the ship. Scurvy swelled their gums and killed nineteen men, including the captive islanders.

Their torment ended briefly upon reaching the Islands of Thieves (Marianas), where disputes arose due to the natives' quick thefts from the ships. Soon after, they landed in the Archipelago of San Lázaro (the Philippines). In the islands of Massana and Zubu (Cebu), fortune returned: they formed friendships through blood pacts with local kings such as Colambu and Humabon. Pigafetta described their banquets, palm-wine drinking, the constant chewing of areca fruit with betel leaves, and exotic funeral rites.

Magellan unleashed intense evangelizing zeal: he celebrated the first mass, erected a large cross, destroyed local idols, and baptized the king (renamed Carlos), the queen (Juana), and hundreds of subjects.

Overconfident in battle, Magellan landed on Mactan on April 27, 1521, to fight the forces of the chieftain Cilapulapu with only fifty soldiers. Surrounded by warriors on the shore and unable to use European weapons effectively in the water, Magellan was overwhelmed, struck down by sabers and spears, and killed in combat.

Panic continued days later due to the betrayal of Magellan's slave Enrique, who encouraged the Cebu chieftains to ambush several Spanish captains during a supposed banquet, forcing the Europeans to flee hastily.

Book III — Exploration and Arrival in the Moluccas

With too few men for the three remaining ships, they emptied and burned the Concepción. They continued through islands rich in provisions, such as Palawan, and reached the splendid kingdom of Burné (Borneo). There they saw a city of twenty-five thousand families; its Muslim king (Siripada) followed sumptuous protocols, using royal elephants and ambassadors who spoke only through tubes or blowpipes.

After confronting local junks and seizing goods, they managed to sail toward their dreamed destination.

On November 8, 1521, they finally entered Tadore, the heart of the Moluccas and the land producing the coveted spice. King Manzor received them with reverence and kindness, swore loyalty to the Spanish crown, and allowed extensive trade. Pigafetta described the astonishing botany, noting that the famed clove tree grew only on the humid mountain slopes of a few islands. They made extremely profitable exchanges: hundreds of pounds of cloves for ribbons, cloth, scissors, and small brass chains.

Ready to return triumphantly to Europe, they discovered to their horror that the ship Trinidad had a severe leak that native divers could not locate. They were forced to divide the fleet: Trinidad would remain for repairs under Juan Carvallo with more than fifty men, while the Victoria would depart immediately — alone — attempting to cross the treacherous western routes toward the Atlantic with only 47 Europeans and 13 islanders.

Book IV — The Indian Ocean and the Mystery of the Lost Day

Avoiding any territory frequented by the enemy Portuguese fleet, the solitary Victoria desperately crossed the vast Indian Ocean. After months without sighting land and after collecting sandalwood in Timor, they rounded the stormy Cape of Good Hope in early May.

Their meager diet of rice and water caused scurvy and killed twenty-one sailors.

Exhaustion forced them to stop on July 9 at an island in the Cape Verde archipelago, controlled by the Portuguese. The survivors lied, claiming they came from the American route, and bought vital provisions.

During this stop, they discovered the fascinating geographical and temporal mystery of the expedition: when comparing dates with the locals, they learned it was Thursday on land, while Pigafetta's meticulous logs insisted it was Wednesday. They realized empirically that by traveling westward around the planet — following the apparent motion of the Sun — they had inevitably gained twenty-four hours.

Their deception failed, forcing the exhausted explorers to flee in panic, leaving thirteen companions imprisoned by the Portuguese.

After traveling an incredible 14,460 leagues and completing the first circumnavigation of the globe, the historic ship entered Sanlúcar de Barrameda on Saturday, September 6, 1522, and anchored in Seville on the 8th. Only 18 survivors returned, visibly ill. The next day, grateful for their fate, they walked barefoot, in simple garments, carrying a candle to fulfill their religious vow to the Virgin.

The voyage formally ended when Pigafetta met Emperor Charles V in Valladolid and, instead of offering material gifts, presented him with the manuscript documenting the details, hardships, and absolute glories of the journey that changed humanity's perception of the universe.

Of 237 men and five ships that left Seville in August 1519, only 18 men aboard the Victoria returned in September 1522 — the human cost of the first voyage around the world.