Aveiro, is a small city about an hour south of Porto. It is advertised as the 'Venice of Portugal' because it has a number of canals. Well, I don't think anyone is going to mistake Aveiro for Venice any time soon. Yet, it is a town that is charming in its own way. It's initial wealth came from the production of salt, fishing, and as a port supporting the trade during the Portuguese expansion in the 15th & 16th centuries. It went through a long period of decline resulting from its connection to the sea silting up. This changed in the 19th century when artificial canals were built to reconnect the city with the sea. Today Aveiro has a thriving ceramics industry, some high tech employers and is a major tourist town.
I have noted during our travels how each town we visit has very distinct 'look'. There are common themes such as the use of tile decoration, but there are notable differences as well. This was certainly the case with Aveiro.
We will start with the tile art
There is the traditional of course
But there were plenty of much more creative examples.
And there was this cool series commemorating the old salt industry
Some general views of the center of town
There were a number of interesting building ornaments
The Good Duke of Aveiro (who I believe was put to death by his monarch for some reason)
Working the tour boat business can be tedious
There were more reflection shot opportunities than anywhere else we'd been
This means Chicken Club
Construction taking place all over
The Laundry Series
Laundry
Laundry emulating Tiles
Laundry, Tiles and Logos
A weird lunch
We had a horrible time finding a place to eat. Three places I found on Google turned out to be closed. We ended up at the Route 66!
Not everyday in Portugal you see mention of Albuquerque and Gallup New Mexico
Some towns go for memory locks on bridges. In Aveiro it is ribbons.
We went on to a small town noted for its small houses and unusual decorations, Costa Nova (which I will also mention is a laundry photographer's dream town)
Signs of the World
I am not sure this groups definition of a 'good brain' and mine are the same
2 comments:
It's neat to see the contrast between the traditional and modern uses of tile.
I can't imagine a beetroot vegan burger being the natural choice to represent Albuquerque by the locals, but I guess Aveiro is a long way away.
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