Moliceiros
Moliceiro is the name given to the boats that sail in the Ria de Aveiro, the marshy lagoon region of the Vouga River.
These boats were originally used to harvest moliço, a type of algae used as agricultural fertilizer, but nowadays they are more commonly adapted for tourist purposes in Aveiro city.
History
Moliceiro were developed in the 19th century and were used for the collection of the algae until around the 1960's when chemical fertilizers became more common.
The algae is usually pulled aboard using a large wooden rake, known as an ancinho.
Design
The boats have a flat bottom and shallow draft which is perfectly suited to the waters of the lagoon, which is typically only 1 or 32 meters deep.
They have a tapered hull with a raised sickle-shaped bow. Usually, they are between 15 and 18 meters long and 2.5 to 3 meters wide.
The moliceiros are built in Scots pine or in umbrella pine by local crafts people in the villages of Murtosa and Ilhavo on the Ria de Aveiro. The secret of making these boats is passed down from generation to generation.
The design is similar to the Venetian gondola, Viking longships, the donis (or dhonis) of the Maldives and similar vessels found at Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and even dugout canoes in parts of Senegal.
They also have design features similar to vessels found farther down the Atlantic Coast of Portugal in Nazaré.
The boats are flat-bottomed are were navigated using a sail, a pole or the boats were pulled by rope. The rudder can be lifted out of the water. Nowadays the boats are powered by outboard motors.
There is space for the crew to sleep and even a small kitchen on traditional boats.
Decoration
Moliceiro are brightly painted. Typical designs include stars, scenes of local life, religion, flowers and the harvesting of moliço.
Typically, there are four painted panels: two at the stern, two at the bow. The unique designs identified the owner of the vessel.
Such examples of Portuguese folk art received enthusiastic encouragement during the time of the Salazar dictatorship.
Nowadays, humorous subjects, often of an erotic nature, are common to appeal to the tourist trade. The writing under the painting is usually an erotic play on words.
Regattas
Each summer, moliceiros regattas are organized by the on the Ria de Aveiro. These regattas were created during the Salazar period to exalt and encourage Portuguese patriotism. Today, they are a popular tourist spectacle.
Also the regattas are usually the only way to see moliceiros actually sailing nowadays.
Boat tours on a Moliceiro can be booked at the Tourist Office (Turismo) or from the boat owners at the Largo do Jardim do Rossio quay outside.
Typical tours take in the city's canals, the Aveiro Congress Center housed in a former ceramics factory, the traditional fishermen's district of Beira-Mar, the Fish Market and the salt pans just outside the city center.
Accommodation in Aveiro
Aveiro has a number of good hotel options. The three star Veneza Hotel, just off the main road that runs down from Aveiro Station is one of the best mid-price range hotels in the town.
Hotel As Americas is four star with a range of facilities including free Wifi and free parking. Hotel Aveiro Palace is also four star and centrally located near the main canal. The three star Hotel das Salinas offers views of the Art Nouveau houses and traditional Moliceiro boats from its rooms. Aveiro Mizu is a good value small hotel at Rua de São Roque 13. Hotel Aveiro Center is a quiet centrally-located three star hotel. Hotel Imperial, on Dr. Nascimento Leitão, is a similarly-priced three star accommodation. See here for a view of all the accommodation options in and around Aveiro.
For those on a budget, the parque de campismo (234 369 425) at Barra and Gafanha da Nazare (234 366 565) northwest of Ilhavo are both reasonable and close to town. For those who prefer a roof, the pousada da juventude (234 420 536, fax 234 382 395) which is 1.5 km south of town is good value for a double, or for a multiple. Reservations strongly recommended. A good deal near the train station is Tricana de Aveiro on Avenida Dr Lourenco Peixinho. Hotel Jardim, Praceta D. Afonso V and Residencial Palmeira (234 422 521), Rua da Palmeira 7.
Featured Hotel
Mercure Aveiro, Rua Luis Gomes de Carvalho 23, 45 rooms.
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