Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is surrounded by salt-flats, beaches and lagoons and dominated by the Central Canal running through town. Famous for its moliceiros - typical fishing boats with gaily painted prows - Aveiro was once a busy and prosperous port town several centuries ago. The silting up of the entrance to the harbour by deposits brought down by the River Vouga, combined with a build-up of sand from the sea, meant that by the end of the 17th century, following some exceptionally rough seas, the port became landlocked. In 1808, a successful attempt was made to pierce an entrance to the sand-bar, but it is unlikely that Aveiro will ever become a major port again.
Today Aveiro and its surroundings represent a very important industrial area where they still extract salt, where there are shipyards, mechanical engineering industries, iron industry, cellulose factories, china, ceramic and still fishing. Its university is one of the most important in Portugal and there are also several higher education institutes.
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Barcos Moliceiros |
Train Station |
The Ria is linked to Aveiro via three canals: the Canal das Pirâmides (marked at its entrance by two stone pyramids), which extends into the Canal Central, the Canal de São Roque, which marks the limits of the city to the north-west and separates it from the salt-pans; and the Canal dos Santos Mártires (or the Canal do Paraíso) which leads to the south-west.
Using the Canal Central as the city's main axis, we suggest two tours of Aveiro.
- On the Left Bank, begin by admiring the graceful Art Nouveau buildings, which are beautifully reflected in the canal, stroll through the Mercado do Peixe (Fish Market), wander around the Beira Mar district and along the canal banks and savour the gentle sea breeze.
- On the Right Bank, visit the city museum housed in the Convento de Jesus. It is full of mementoes of King Afonso V's daughter, Santa Joana, who died here in 1490. The monastery
was built from the 15th to the 17th century. The church is very rich with lovely woodwork in particular in the choir. It is a baroque masterpiece. In the lower choir there is princess Saint Joana' s tomb in marble. It was ordered by king D. Pedro II. This convent was transformed into a museum in 1911 and you will be able to see sculptures, paintings, and ceramic there.
Within short walking distance stands the city's 15th century São Domingos cathedral and the Carmelite Church, decorated with paintings depicting the life of St Teresa.
Monuments and churches, as well as the hustle and bustle of city life taking place under the diffuse light of the Ria, all add to the charm of this coastal city.
Also worth seeing is the Misericórdia Church, which dates back to the 16th century.
- The railway station with azulejos which cover the inside and outside facades, and which tells stories of Aveiro and the region as well as professions and traditions of the ria.
Evidently, all visitors will also want to discover more about the Ria de Aveiro. The two suggested itineraries will introduce you to the labyrinth of canals, the white sand dunes by the sea and the vast expanses of salt-marshes with their pyramids of white salt.
If you enjoy nature trekking, the Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto is truly irresistible.
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Garça Branca |
Gaivota |
Before you leave you might like to go into a cake shop to sample ovos moles, Aveiro's speciality made with an egg dough (small almond shaped creations filled with a sweet filling).
You could also take a boat trip, information at the tourist office in front of the central canal.
All the coast is very beautiful but it is necessary to mention, a few kilometres from there, the Praia da Barra, a very popular sea resort with a magnificent lighthouse that was inaugurated in 1893, and Costa Nova with its old painted wooden houses (signs at the round-about at the entrance of the city).
