In this pavilion you can see a variety of original traditional vessels, used at sea, rivers and streams, which represent two of the aspects of the history of Portuguese seafaring and its tradition and clearly portray the connection of the Portuguese with the sea throughout history.
On the one hand, we have vessels used for coastal fishing and fishing activities that have been part of the daily life of the inhabitants of the Portuguese territory since the most remote antiquity, playing a key role in the Portuguese diet and economy. In Portugal, fishing has always had a strong traditional component, existing many different types of vessels, developed according to specific regions and their inhabitants. Since these are handcrafted vessels, many of them have peculiar characteristics.
On the other hand, we have river traffic because, despite the importance of fishing for the daily life and economy of riverside populations, the vessels developed in the different regions were not exclusively used for fishing activities. Waterways were, until very recently, the preferred communication routes and connected many different places. For example, in the late 19th century, the fastest and most efficient way of transporting goods between Lisbon and the Algarve was by sea. The advent of the railway, the subsequent widespread of mechanised road transport, and the systematic construction of roads and bridges changed this situation. Over time, new types of ships and vessels have appeared, which have overshadowed traditional vessels, especially those used for travelling along inland waterways.