Vessels of varying sizes and ages arrived and stayed moored in Amsterdam’s canals for the SAIL Amsterdam festival, an event that runs every five years to celebrate the Netherlands' long history of maritime culture. (AP)
The fleet of ships that arrived recreated scenes from a bygone era (AP).
Colombian tall ship ARC Gloria is escorted by small boats as it arrives to participate in SAIL Amsterdam 2015. (AP)
The highlights of the festival included an 18th century frigate replica and a 19th century French merchant ship (AP).
Russian tall ship the Kruzenshtern, center right was also part of the event. (AP)
Spectators take pictures as Russian tall ship the Sedov arrived at the event (AP).
Sailors stand in the rigging of Colombian tall ship ARC Gloria as it arrives in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to participate in SAIL Amsterdam 2015, a five-yearly festival celebrating the Dutch capital's maritime history that is expected to draw some 2
Tall ships were escorted by small boats as they arrived in Amsterdam. (AP)
The event is thought to have drawn about two million people who saw the boats before they set off from Amsterdam harbour. (AP)
Hundreds of ships gather at Amsterdam for giant sailing festival