Haystacks of Costa Nova

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Aveiro > Ílhavo > Costa Nova > Palheiros da Costa Nova

Location

The Palheiros da Costa Nova are located in the coastal town of Costa Nova, in the municipality of Ílhavo. These characteristic constructions are arranged linearly along Avenida Marginal, facing the Canal de Mira, an integral part of the Ria de Aveiro. Their position is unique, situated on a narrow strip of land between the estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, a geography that shaped both their architecture and their territorial organization.

In this area, the absence of vegetation and altitude variations makes the landscape particularly exposed to sea winds, which historically influenced their layout, often aligned and leaning against each other to minimize façades exposed to the weather.

The Striped Image

The façades of the Palheiros da Costa Nova, marked by their vibrant and distinct colored stripes on a white background, are one of the most recognized elements of the Portuguese landscape. Although today associated with their singular aesthetics, the stripes have a practical origin: to protect the wood from maritime weather. In the past, ocher red and black tones were used, derived from fish oils and natural pigments, methods inherited from the paints used on fishing boats.

This alternating color pattern on the boards is a peculiarity of Costa Nova, differing from other coastal constructions. The transition to more varied colors, blues, greens, yellows, and reds, occurred later, when the palheiros began to be adapted for summer housing, reflecting Costa Nova's growing popularity as a seaside destination.

From Fishing to Leisure

The history of the Palheiros da Costa Nova is intrinsically linked to fishing activity which, since the early 19th century, attracted fishermen from Ílhavo to this then uninhabited sandy area. Initially, these wooden constructions served as warehouses to store nets and fishing gear, being simple, spacious buildings without interior divisions.

Over time, and with the settlement of fishermen's families, the palheiros gradually transformed into dwellings, gaining internal divisions and a more elaborate physiognomy. This process culminated in the second half of the 19th century, when Costa Nova became a summer retreat for the bourgeoisie, leading to their adaptation as holiday homes and the adoption of their famous vibrant colors, which remain to this day.

A Historical Legacy

The Palheiros da Costa Nova represent a valuable testimony to the region's social and architectural evolution. A notable example is the Palheiro José Estêvão, built in 1808, which retains its original ocher red color. This palheiro was acquired by the parliamentarian José Estêvão in the mid-19th century and, during that period, became a meeting point for illustrious figures of the culture and politics of the time, including writers like Eça de Queirós and Guerra Junqueiro, and the politician Oliveira Martins, associated with the "Generation of 70".

The presence of these houses, which remained in the possession of the politician's descendants, underlines the deep connection between the fishing past, the rise of summer tourism, and the culture of Costa Nova, making them a living symbol of local identity.

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