| AVEIRO |
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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. What to see:
Aveiro's main museum, housed in the former Jesus Monastrey,
is full of mementoes of King Afonso V's daughter, Santa Joana,
who died here in 1490. 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.
Also worth seeing is the Misericórdia Church, which dates back
to the 16th century. Nearby: 8 km south of Aveiro, Ílhavo has
an interesting maritime museum, where the region's long seafaring
history is told through displays of vessels and related equipment.
4 km further south lies the famous Vista Alegre Museum, which
traces the history of Vista Alegre porcelain from the 1850s
to the present day. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
