Due to its climatic and geographical characteristics, the Portuguese coastline has always been favourable for fishing activities, with evidence of countless fishing communities near the Portuguese coast since at least Roman times. Different practices and techniques emerged in different areas of Portugal, enriching the regional traditions due to their variety and peculiarity.
Having been present in the Portuguese coastline long before it was a sovereign entity, inshore fishing has had an important part in Portuguese maritime traditions since time immemorial.
Displaying aspects from different coastal regions, this room relates different traditions born out of a common factor: The sea – an intimate but ambiguous territory, being both a source of wealth and mourning, where time and resources are always an uncertainty.
The Poveira Launch, the Nazaré Galleon, the Caparica Saveiro, the Seixal Muleta, the Algarve Caíque and the Azores whaling ship are some of the vessel models present in this room that represent, alongside several paintings, a vulnerable way of life, ruled by the risky, unpredictable sea.
Through the ship models portraying the original shape of traditional vessels, or vessels that are no longer used, the Coastal Fishing Room displays the history of an artisanal activity attempting to resist the passing of time.