History of the Phinisi

The Phinisi, a noble seafaring story

Prana by Atzaró was inspired by the tradition of the Phinisi and the way it has been built in Indonesia for centuries. The History of the Phinisi is a rich one.

The Phinisi is a traditional two- masted sailing ship originally crafted by the master seafarers known as the Bugis people in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. These venerable vessels look a little like the Arabian Dhow and were originally used for both transport and cargo, especially to transport the famous spices from the remote Banda islands.

Originally and exactly like Prana by Atzaró, the Phinisi would be built on the beach close to the rainforests of Sulawesi and Kalimantan, where the ironwood and teak logs are sourced. The wood skeletons would then be transported to the boat building sites for further construction.

The master craftsmen who build the Phinisi yachts grace each stage of the building process with traditional and unique rituals and ceremonies. This starts with choosing the right trees for the most crucial parts of the structure and continues through each stage. UNESCO recognised the Phinisi yacht as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in December 2017.

In recent modern times, the Phinisi has been transformed in to the ultimate liveaboard and luxury yacht. Prana by Atzaró is the biggest and most luxurious of its kind, offering the best Phinisi cruises Indonesia.