The codfish path will bring you to Íhavo, a town with a rich sea-related history. Ílhavo is a municipality located in the centre of Portugal. The Municipality of Ílhavo includes four parishes and two towns: Gafanha da Nazaré and Ílhavo. We’ll visit the incredible Ílhavo Maritime Museum and its one-of-a-kind codfish tank, as well as the Museum Ship Santo André.
However, there is more to it! We will sample cod prepared in a variety of ways at the traditional Bela Ria restaurant in Ílhavo, which is operated by the official chef of the Confraria do Bacalhau – the Codfish Brotherhood! The codfish – “bacalhau” – has long been Portugal’s “loyal companion,” an essential ingredient in Portuguese cuisine.
According to legend, there are at least 1000 thousand ways to prepare it, making it difficult to choose which is the tastiest! However, codfish is more than the name of a highly regarded dish in Portuguese cuisine. The history of “bacalhau” is a genuine epopee, written by hundreds of men who have endured the terrible conditions of the high seas and shaped the thrilling history of codfish fishing. We’ll show you the codfish trail, which is filled with intriguing places and great stories!
With love from Norway
Codfish’s beginnings are lost in time, as the earliest codfish processing plants arose in Norway and Iceland as early as the ninth century! However, the Portuguese did not begin trading codfish until the 15th century. Dried salted codfish remained protein- and nutrient-dense for almost three months on lengthy sea voyages, which was excellent for this historical time! In the 15th century, the Portuguese were the first to catch cod in Newfoundland. Codfish already accounted for 10% of all fish traded in Portugal at the time.
Our voyage begins at the seaside city of Ílhavo, which is located around 8 kilometres from Aveiro. This city has a long marine history, and the codfish is the city’s unofficial symbol. Each August, the municipality hosts the famed Codfish Festival, which attracts a large number of people to the city. Apart from food, this event has some of the best music and exhibitions around!
The Ílhavo Maritime Museum is a real architectural classic, built by renowned Portuguese architects Nuno Mateus and Pedro Mateus and nominated for a 2003 Mies van der Rohe Award. This magnificent museum is one of the most frequented in the Centro de Portugal region. The Ílhavo Maritime Museum depicts the narrative of high sea fishing in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Aveiro’s “ria.” The Sea Room houses an intriguing collection of nautical equipment and small replicas of antique ships. You must pay special attention to the collection of codfish fishing, which is simply amazing!
The Library/Archive of the Ílhavo Maritime Museum houses the world’s largest collection of codfish fishing literature. All of the books were contributed by local residents, and visitors are welcome to browse the collection for free. It is a site of remembrance as well as a tribute to Portugal’s marine culture!
Santo André Museum Ship is part of the Ílhavo Maritime Museum. This fishing trawler is a member of the Portuguese codfish fleet and was built in Holland in 1948. This 71,40-meter-long fishing trawler was completely restored and transformed into a museum as a result of the ship owner’s and the municipality of Ílhavo efforts. It is now a local landmark!
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An aquarium with codfish The Maritime Museum of Ílhavo has established a facility that is completely unique in Portugal: a codfish tank! It is the first in the country and the ideal location for a closer look at this fascinating species. The Codfish Aquarium is a must-see town of Ílhavo, which is so committed to preserving maritime traditions.
Now is the moment to sample this Portuguese culinary delicacy. We recommend Bela Ria, a little restaurant located in Gafanha de Quem (6,5 kilometres from Aveiro). It is one of those hidden gems that will captivate you with its modest ambience and pleasant service. Bela Ria is renowned for its codfish-inspired specialities. There are a thousand ways to prepare codfish, and in the restaurant Bela Ria, this statement is completely true!
The codfish myth is easily relatable to the Portuguese identity: it is a storey about braving rough seas and yearning for a secure country, all while bringing home the almighty king of all tables, the “bacalhau” by any means necessary! Salute appetite!
