Located just to the south of Aveiro, and set a few kilometres inland from the Atlantic Ocean, the small town of Ílhavo is the traditional home of the deep-sea fishermen. From here came nearly all the commanding-officers of the Portuguese merchant navy in the past.
Once a thriving port city, a violent tempest obstructed the sea’s entrance in 1575 leaving Ílhavo isolated from the ocean. What to see. The parish church contains two interesting polychrome bas-reliefs along with two striking statues in polychrome terracotta.
The town’s museum tells of nothing but the sea, with models of every type of craft used on the Vouga Estuary and along the coast, as well as large collections of shells, marine life and paintings inspired by scenes of fishing and storms. Nearby. 1.5 km south of Ílhavo is the famous porcelain factory of Vista Alegre, which includes a fascinating museum showing examples of everything the place has produced and a shop where visitors can buy the highly-prized porcelain. This remarkable firm was founded in 1824 and has remained in the same family ever since. Several of the craftsmen, too, are descendants of the original workers.
