Standing on the bridge that spans Aveiro’s Central Canal, crowned with its distinctive ornament, you are treated to a view of two of the city’s architectural masterpieces. To one side rises the Casa de Major Pessoa, an extraordinary Art Nouveau building, constructed between 1907 and 1909. Designed by the renowned architects Francisco Augusto da Silva Rocha and Ernesto Korrodi, this house was commissioned by Mário Belmonte Pessoa, a local merchant involved in the coffee and cocoa trade. The façade is adorned with intricate floral decorations, bronze columns, and graceful wrought iron balconies, reflecting the natural, flowing lines of the Art Nouveau movement. After years of decline, it was restored and transformed into the Museu Arte Nova in 2008, preserving its place in Aveiro’s cultural history.
On the other side stands the Hotel Aveiro Palace, originally built in 1937 as the Arcada Hotel. This building, also designed by Ernesto Korrodi, blends Aveiro’s historic charm with modern comfort. Its façade, which harmonizes with the surrounding Art Nouveau style, has witnessed decades of social and intellectual life, once hosting the famous Café Arcada on its ground floor. A renovation in 2011 updated the interior while preserving the historic exterior, ensuring that the hotel remains a popular destination for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of the city.
As you take in these architectural wonders, your attention is also drawn to the statue of a marnoto, standing proudly at the base of the bridge. The marnoto represents the traditional salt workers of Aveiro, whose centuries-old craft shaped the city’s economy. Managing the natural elements of sun, wind, and seawater, these workers would harvest the valuable salt that made Aveiro famous. While the number of marnotos has diminished with the rise of industrial salt production, their cultural heritage is celebrated today, as visitors can learn about their demanding work through tours and educational programs.
This bridge, both a literal and figurative crossing point in Aveiro, connects the city’s rich architectural past with its enduring cultural traditions.
Join us for a three-hour walking tour through Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal” for its picturesque canals and traditional moliceiro boats. We’ll begin in the Beira Mar district, exploring narrow streets with colorful tiled facades and Art Nouveau architecture, and hear tales of Aveiro’s history as a center for salt production and fishing.
As we stroll along the historic Rua de Coimbra, you’ll discover the story behind Aveiro’s famous ovos moles—creamy custard treats wrapped in rice paper—and other local pastries. We’ll make a stop at a popular shopping center for a modern taste of the city before crossing Aveiro’s iconic pedestrian bridges, like the colorful Ponte do Laço, which offer stunning canal views. The route will lead us to Praça do Peixe, a lively square where traditional and contemporary Aveiro meet, rounding off the journey with a true sense of this charming city’s history and flavors.
