Praça General Humberto Delgado

Exploring Aveiro is refreshingly easy. Firstly, the city is flat, which is rare for Portugal! Second, it’s small enough to explore entirely on foot. You might even find yourself walking past the same spot more than once. That’s exactly what could happen with Praça General Humberto Delgado, often considered the heart of the city. Located above the central canal, this square acts as a bridge between Aveiro’s northern and southern districts. It also serves as a bridge and a roundabout, which can be a little disorientating when you first arrive! Back in the 19th century, none of this existed. Pedestrians and carriages would move from one quay to another using two bridges, the Ponte dos Arcos, or Bridge of Arches, and Ponte das Almas, or Bridge of Souls, both of which are now long gone. Before turning your attention to the colourful moliceiros, those traditional boats typical of the region, take a look at the bronze statues at each corner of the square. Each one represents a traditional figure of Aveiro and its region, portrayed through their outfits and tools. On the left, you’ll see the salineira and the marnoto, two salt workers. On the right, in front of the Municipal Assembly, you’ll meet the parceira do ramo and the fogueteiro, two characters in traditional festival dress. Humberto Delgado, whom the square was named after, was a Portuguese general and politician known for his outspoken opposition to the authoritarian regime led by dictator António de Oliveira Salazar, who ruled from around 1932 to 1976. Assassinated in Spain in 1965 by the P.I.D.E., Portugal’s secret police, Humberto Delgado is now honoured as one of twelve prominent figures laid to rest in the National Pantheon in Lisbon. Lisbon’s main airport was even renamed after him on 15 May 2016. Now you know all about one of Aveiro’s most unique squares.