Aveiro:. the Venice of Portugal

Aveiro, Venice of Portugal
Aveiro, the city known as the Venice of Portugal

The city of Aveiro is known as "The Venice of Portugal" due to the large number of canals, bridges, the moliceiros, typical boats and their Ria. Aveiro The name originates due to the large number of birds that exist in the region.
Aveiro is located on the coast west of Portugal. Aveiro has the north to limit the district of Oporto, the east district of Viseu, in the south district of Coimbra and to the west the Atlantic Ocean. This Atlantic City is at a distance of about 68 kms from the city of Porto and 243 kms from Lisbon. Aveiro is a city linked to the sea and has been a rejuvenation of its population since the establishment of the University. The district of Aveiro is divided into 19 municipalities:

  • Águeda
  • Albergaria-a-Velha
  • Anadia
  • Arouca
  • Aveiro
  • Castelo de Paiva
  • Espinho
  • Estarreja
  • Ílhavo
  • Mealhada
  • Murtosa
  • Oliveira de Azeméis
  • Oliveira do Bairro
  • Ovar
  • Santa Maria da Feira
  • São João da Madeira
  • Sever do Vouga
  • Vagos
  • Vale de Cambra

The district of Aveiro is bathed by Antuã rivers, Caima, Cértima Friars, Arda, Boco and Arões. The landscape of Aveiro is dominated by the Ria de Aveiro. The Ria de Aveiro includes an estuary, sandbars, freshwater pond, the Natural Reserve of the Dunes of São Jacinto , has a flora and a wide variety of fauna. Ria land allow the cultivation of rice and corn. You can visit and stroll the Ria de Moliceiro, a traditional boat of the region for the transport of salt and collection of seaweed, trash left by the algae. Currently this boat serves as a tourist attraction and is an important component in the city's economy. This town has a coastline of about 40 kilometers long beaches. In this region there are the mountains of Moldes , the Sierra de São Pedro Velho and Serra do Arade.

Quick history of Aveiro

Aveiro was elevated to a town in the thirteenth century, beginning to develop to the back of the Church of São Miguel located in the current Republic Square. The Portuguese king D João had built walls around the city, however walls were later demolished, and the use of stone was built a jetty protection against ocean violence. In 1434, the city of Aveiro had the privilege of holding a fair Franca (no fair taxes to stallholders). Currently this fair is known as " Feira de Março ". In 1759, Aveiro was elevated to city status by the king of Portugal D José I .

Aveiro has always been linked to the production of salt, fishing and maritime trade since the Middle Ages. This town began to grow from the fifteenth century to the beginning of the Discoveries. During the dictatorship of Oliveira Salazar twentieth century, the city of Aveiro was one of the main ports involved in the cod fishery. Currently the city of Aveiro maintains a network of channels that run through the whole city and reach the Ria.
In this city there are three channels:

  1. Channel of the Pirâmides : it is called so have two pyramids at the beginning
  2. Channel São Roque : is the city 's central canal. Aveiro limits the northwest and separates it from the salt. From this channel we can see the buildings of New Art, the Fish Market, the Beira Mar district and the Museum of Aveiro
  3. Channel of the Santos Mártires : through the city towards west

Places of interest to visit near Aveiro

Arouca

Arouca: Arouca The village is located in the Aveiro district with about 6000 inhabitants. Arouca is located in the middle basin of the river Douro. In this county there to highlight the Arouca Monastery, the river Paiva Bridge, the Paiva Walkways, the Arouca Geopark and river beaches Albergaria, Areinho, Espiunca, Janarde, Meitriz, Paradinha and Vau. The gastronomy of this town has as specialties arouquesa meat and convent sweets. The Arouca municipality is divided into 16 parishes:

  • Alvarenga
  • Arouca e Burgo
  • Cabreiros e Albergaria da Serra
  • Canelas e Espiunca
  • Chave
  • Covelo de Paivó e Janarde
  • Escariz
  • Fermedo
  • Mansores
  • Moldes (Arouca)
  • Rossas
  • Santa Eulália
  • São Miguel do Mato
  • Tropeço
  • Urrô
  • Várzea

Castelo de Paiva

Castelo de Paiva : is a village in the district of Aveiro and with about 17 thousand inhabitants. This area in the Aveiro district is deeply marked by the scenic beauty that the Douro river, Paiva, Arda and Sardoura provide. In this town there is the highlight of Leisure Zone São Martinho and the Douro River River Beach

Espinho

Espinho : is a city located in the district of Aveiro and limited the North with Vila Nova de Gaia has about 10 000 inhabitants. In Espinho there to highlight the Castro de Ovil , the Church, the Casino de Espinho and its central area decorated with Portuguese sidewalk. This town has about 8 kms of beaches where you can practice sports like surfing or bodyboarding. On the beaches of Espinho are held Championships Beach Volleyball European, Surf and Bodyboard. The Espinho beaches are: Azul, Baía, Costa Verde, Marbelo, Paramos, Pop, Seca, Sereias e Silvalde.

Mealhada

Mealhada: is a city located in the south of Aveiro district with about 21 thousand inhabitants. Mealhada is known as the location of "water, the bread, the wine and Piglet - 4 Wonders of Mealhada Table." (Água, o Pão, o Vinho e o Leitão – 4 Maravilhas da Mesa da Mealhada). This was the brand created and registered by the city in 2007 to reference the excellence of products in the cuisine of the region. in this town there is highlight the Capela de Sant`Ana , the city center of Aveiro, the National Forest Buçaco , the spa Luso , the city Park and the Casino of Luso

Ovar

Ovar: it is a city located in the Aveiro district with about 30 thousand inhabitants. In Ovar there to highlight the Museum and Casa Júlio Dinis , the Passos de Ovar , the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso , the Environmental Park Buçaquinho . The main beaches of Ovar are: the beach of Furadouro , beach Cortegaça , beach Barrinha , beach São Pedro de Maceda , beach Torrão do Lameiro and the river beach of Areinho . Ovar is a city known for the Carnival festivities and the bread sponge cake ofOvar, a former landmark of the city.

Gastronomy Aveiro

The gastronomy of Aveiro reflects the variety and unique flavors and result of last ancient wisdom from generation to generation. Aveiro includes specialties such as:

  • Stew Petinga (Caldeirada de Petinga)
  • Eel boiler (Caldeira de Enguia)
  • Sheep to Lampantana (Carneiro à Lampantana)
  • Chorizo ??with greens (Chouriço com grelos)
  • Eels escabeche (Enguias de Escabeche)
  • Skewered Mussel (Espetadas de Mexilhão)
  • Piglet Bairrada (Leitão à Bairrada)
  • Bread Vale de Ílhavo (Pão de Vale de Ílhavo)
  • Raia in sauce Pitau (Raia em Molho Pitau)
  • Regueifa (Regueifa)
  • Rojões (Rojões)
  • Roasted veal (Vitela Assada)

Festivities in Aveiro

Aveiro has several important festivities to stimulate the economy of the region, namely:

  • Courting Entrega dos Ramos and the Feast of St. Gonçalinho: held every year in the month January
  • Parties of Ria: are held in the months July or August, depending on the tides
  • City Festivities: held in the municipal holiday on 12 May and includes the Procession of the Patron Santa Joana Princesa

Economics of Aveiro region

The district of Aveiro has the traditional sectors and economic activities of greater importance, particularly engineering, chemical industry, wood and cork. The University of Aveiro is important to the region with the representation of goods and strong technological component of products with an export vocation.
Aveiro has the most important agricultural production cereals, fruits, vegetables and wine. It is in this region that is the winery of Bairrada region. Aveiro has a rich livestock production, particularly in cattle breed and dairy products.
Aveiro district represents 6.7% of the total existing companies in Portugal and its production reaches 5.7%. This figure is surpassed by Lisbon and Porto. The dominant sectors of the economy in the Aveiro district are manufacturing with 50% of turnover and trade with 32% of turnover. The fisheries sector has a representation of 19% of total sales in the economy of this region.
Aveiro crafts includes products and typical traditions, including folk costumes, ceramics, metalwork, woodwork, rags, lace, embroidery, basketry, painted yokes, miniature boats Estarreja, Murtosa carpets and boats.

Quick Facts Aveiro

  • City Population: about 79,000 inhabitants
  • Population District: about 715,000 inhabitants
  • Area: 197.58 km2
  • Region: Central Portugal
  • District: Aveiro
  • Ancient Area: Beira Litoral
  • Municipal holiday: May 12
  • Beaches: 5 (Barra, Costa Nova, Thorn, Furadouro, Torreira)
  • Spa: 1 (Curia Spa)

Geographical location of the city of Aveiro and tourist attractions