Ílhavo Maritime Museum and Codfish Aquarium

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Aveiro > Ílhavo > Lagoa

Location:

The Ílhavo Maritime Museum and the Codfish Aquarium are located in the town of Lagoa, in the São Salvador area, within the municipality of Ílhavo. It is integrated into the local urban fabric, serving as a cultural landmark in the surrounding area.

Ílhavo's Maritime Heritage

This museological space is dedicated to preserving and presenting the deep history of Ílhavo's people's connection to the sea. The main focus is on cod fishing, a distant fishing activity that shaped the region's identity and economy over decades. Alongside this central theme, the museum also explores various fishing activities and practices linked to the Ria de Aveiro, showcasing the importance of this ecosystem for local communities. Visitors can discover traditional fishing arts and observe collections illustrating life aboard and ashore, as well as other aspects of Ílhavo's maritime culture, including collections of seashells and seaweeds.

The Building's Architecture

The building housing the museum and the aquarium is a work of contemporary architecture that stands out in the urban landscape. It resulted from a significant renovation and expansion project that gave it a new identity and functionality. Its architectural language is remarkable, with well-defined volumes, expressive lines, and a careful interplay of light and shadow that creates distinct environments inside. The building's design, recognized with architectural awards, integrates into its surroundings while asserting itself through its modernity and boldness, inviting discovery of its interior spaces and the history they tell.

The Codfish Aquarium

One of the complex's central attractions is the Codfish Aquarium. This unique space was specially designed to house and display codfish, offering a unique opportunity to observe these fish, so important to the history of Portuguese fishing, up close. The aquarium's design is innovative, with a spiral descent pathway, allowing visitors to observe the animals from different angles and with increasing proximity. This immersive experience complements the museum's narrative about cod fishing, making the visit more engaging and memorable. The aquarium received a specific distinction for the way it presents live species.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt