Destination Weddings in Aveiro

Formerly named Alavario, Aveiro is a city that at one point was a great seaport. It is best known for its saltpans, which date back prior to 959 AD. During the 16th Century, the area prospered due to its cod fishing industry, however, destructive storms took place at the end of that century and damaged the harbor, severely affecting that trade. Aveiro is located between Oporto and Coimbra, on the east side of the Ria de Aveiro.

Today, the area is still a thriving industrial center. There is a delightful lagoon with canals, and "moliceiros," boats used to pick up the seaweed. The town is a combination of fishermen’s cottages and Art Nouveau homes, mixed in with some historic buildings. Aveiro is often compared to Amsterdam or Venice, although it has only three canals. The small houses that line the beach area are lively and colorful, with a distinct medieval flavor. The church of Misericórdia, which dates back to the 16th Century, is quite popular with visitors. The museum is located in what was previously the Mosteiro de Jesus where Santa Joana, the daughter of King Afonso V, died in 1490. This museum contains a collection of primitive and 15th Century art.

South of Aveiro is a town known as Ilhavo, in which a Maritime Museum presents a detailed account of the area’s fishing history. To the south is the home of the world famous fine porcelain factory of "Vista Alegre," which was founded in 1824. To the east of Aveiro are the two towns of Vouzela and São Pedro do Sul, in which the architecture reflects the considerable wealth that the residents enjoy from the fertile valley of the Rio Vouga.

Aveiro is a lovely choice as a wedding location. It bears a uniquely European flavor, and a distinct atmosphere of magic and romance.