Traditional boats of the Tagus (Seixal Municipal Ecomuseum)

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Seixal > Seixal > Baía do Seixal

Location

This cultural space is located in Seixal Bay, a riverside area within the municipality of Seixal. The bay forms a serene arm of the Tagus estuary, offering a peaceful environment and unobstructed views over the water. The intrinsic connection to the river was, and continues to be, a fundamental aspect of local identity, serving as a natural backdrop for the preservation of these historic vessels.

A Fluvial Legacy

For centuries, the Tagus estuary was a hub of intense aquatic activity, traversed by a diversity of traditional vessels. Types such as 'fragatas', 'varinos', and 'faluas' played a vital role in transporting goods and people, establishing essential connections between the various banks and riverside communities. Although rarer today, some of these vessels have been carefully preserved, serving as a living testament to the region's rich fluvial heritage and its historical importance, which persisted until the mid-20th century.

The Featured Vessels

Among the vessels recovered and maintained by the municipality of Seixal, the 'fragata' boat Baía do Seixal and the 'varino' Amoroso stand out. The Baía do Seixal, dating from 1914, has a history of several names, including Emília or Flor de Coina. The Amoroso, whose first registration dates back to 1921, was initially known as Eduardo and served for cargo transport, even navigating as far as Abrantes. Both underwent a careful recovery process, being adapted for recreational tours starting in the 1990s, thus allowing their history to continue to be told on the waters of the Tagus.

The River Experience

These vessels offer a unique way to connect with the vast fluvial heritage of the Tagus. Once designed for arduous work and commercial traffic, they now sail with a new purpose: to offer visitors the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the estuary and understand the evolution of riverside life. Each vessel is operated by a permanent crew, which includes a master and assistants, ensuring safe and authentic navigation, evoking past times but with the comfort of a present-day experience.

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