In the 19th century, the area around Cais dos Botirões and Praça do Peixe in Aveiro was a bustling neighborhood primarily inhabited by fishermen, marnotos (salt workers), and merchants involved in the city’s salt and fishing industries. Many homes in the Beira Mar district, including those near Praça do Peixe, were owned by tradesmen and skilled laborers whose loyalties and livelihoods shifted with the political and economic pressures of the time, particularly during the Liberal Wars (1828–1834). The conflict brought significant challenges, as resource demands and instability affected local industries and spurred Aveiro’s alignment with liberal ideals, ultimately contributing to the constitutional victory that restored Queen Maria II to the throne in 1834.

The houses in this district often served as multi-functional spaces, doubling as residences and storage or workshops for fishing equipment and salt supplies. Passed down through generations, these buildings form a living archive of Aveiro’s maritime past. Although the traditional fish market has since closed, the area has preserved much of its historic character, with old fishermen’s homes now interwoven with modern bars and eateries. This blend of heritage and modernity has transformed Cais dos Botirões into a culturally vibrant space, linking Aveiro’s economic past to its present-day social landscape.