Situated on the Atlantic coast and perched over the River Ave, Vila do Conde has been an important town since the Middle Ages, when its naval construction industry began to flourish. This industry was at its height in the XV and XVI centuries, during the era of discovery and Portuguese maritime expansion. With an excellent naturally sheltered harbour, Vila do Conde also proved to be an important trading port, where merchandise was unloaded for the surrounding areas.

The aim of the “Journey of the Wind Rose” URBAN pilot project was to revive this almost forgotten heritage, and to stimulate the search for a new course of direction for Vila do Conde, which would preserve and strengthen its cultural identity. The operational objective of the project was twofold. Firstly, to develop real skills (know-how), education, innovation and the internationalisation of cultures; and secondly, to restore the harbour area of the city, transforming it into a pleasant and appealing place to live and an urban landmark with important environmental symbolism.

The urban regeneration of the harbour area involved the old shipyard space facing the Customs-House building.

A replica of the XV century Vessel, the “Nau”, was installed and this was complemented by the restoration of the Royal Customs House and the establishment of a museum dedicated to the naval construction industry in Vila do Conde.

As well as being an important resource for tourism and entertainment, the museum also has a valuable educational function, as it was built following extensive research by Admiral Rogério de Oliveira and incorporates his ancestral knowledge of the carpenters and caulkers of the Vila do Conde shipyards.

Museu de Construçao Naval
Phone: +351 252240740
Museus@cm-viladoconde.pt

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Urban Policy > Urban environment

Cultural heritage