Historic tall ship from Portugal returning to Boston Harbor

BOSTON – A majestic tall ship from Portugal is sailing back to Boston.

Sagres, a three-masted Portuguese Navy barque, is scheduled to return to Boston Harbor on Saturday afternoon. The ship will be open for public viewing through the weekend.

The 294-foot vessel is used for training in its home country, where it’s a symbol of national pride.

Ship-watchers in Boston may remember Sagres for the distinctive red crosses that decorate 10 of its 22 sails.

The ship has visited more than 60 countries and circumnavigated the globe three times, most recently in 2010 during a voyage of approximately 35,000 miles. It last visited Boston about three years ago.

The Boston visit comes just ahead of Portugal National Day on Sunday, the nation’s annual celebration of pride and heritage.