An impressive replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon has set sail after two weeks docked in Kent.

Crowds gathered at Ramsgate Harbour early this morning as El Galeon Andalucia left at 8.30am.

Photographer Alex Wilder, from Sandwich, said it was an “impressive” but “bizarre” site.

“The biggest shame was that the sails were not on show,” he said.

“It’s a bit bizarre seeing an old galleon with diesel smoke surrounding it, but it was good.

“The harbour arm was lined with people watching and taking photos.

“On the one hand it looks like something from Pirates of the Caribbean, then on the other you have people in hoodies and normal clothes on it.

“It’s strange because it’s not going under sail power and it’s not functioning the same way as a proper galleon, but it does look like one so it’s a funny mix.”

El Galeon Andalucia arrived in Ramsgate Harbour on May 3, giving visitors the chance to explore the six decks and learn more about how the legendary Spanish ships connected the continents.

The stopover ended today when the floating museum left the harbour and made its way to Weymouth in Dorset, where it is due to arrive at 11am tomorrow.

The ship, which is 500 tonnes and 160 ft long, was built between 2009 and 2010 by the Nao Victoria Foundation after three years of intense research.

Sixteen months were then spent building the huge ship before it launched on November 30, 2009 and it has since docked at many ports all around the world.

El Galeon is similar to those of the Spanish Armada which was famously defeated by Sir Francis Drake in 1588.

Spanish Galleons were designed to cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with maximum efficiency.

They carried up to 150 people aboard including officers, crew members, merchants, servants, families and other passengers.

They usually brought goods from Europe to the Americas, and transported rich treasures back home which were sought after by pirates.