Praça General Humberto Delgado

The Praça General Humberto Delgado, in Aveiro

The Praça General Humberto Delgado is the nucleus of Aveiro, a square that also acts as a bridge and a roundabout above the central canal. The Aveiro audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this link between the north and the south of the city, there where once passed the bridges dos Arcos and das Almas, today adorned with bronze statues figuring the traditional trades of the region, like the salineira and the marnoto.

History

To visit Aveiro does not require much effort: the city is flat, which is rare in Portugal, and small, so that you quickly go around it, at the risk of passing twice in the same places. This is what happens with the Praça General Humberto Delgado, considered the nucleus of the city. By reason of its position above the central canal, it serves as a link between the north part and the south part of Aveiro, acting at once as a square, a bridge and a roundabout, enough to disturb a little the bearings. In the nineteenth century, none of this: you passed from one quay to the other by two bridges, the Ponte dos Arcos, the bridge of arcs, and the Ponte das Almas, the bridge of souls, today vanished. Before looking at the moliceiros, these colourful boats characteristic of the city, do not miss admiring the bronze statues placed at the four corners of the square: each represents a traditional figure of the region, recognisable by its attire and its tools. On the left, you meet the salineira and the marnoto, two salt workers emblematic of Aveiro.

What to see

Here you discover the nucleus of Aveiro, a square that also acts as a bridge and a roundabout above the central canal, link between north and south, there where once passed the bridges dos Arcos and das Almas; its bronze statues figure the traditional trades of the region, like the salineira and the marnoto, and you watch the moliceiros pass. The Praça Humberto Delgado is the nerve centre of Aveiro. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Praça General Humberto Delgado lies above the central canal, in the heart of Aveiro, reachable on foot. It is a square in free access, that also serves as a bridge between the two banks; you admire there the bronze statues and the passage of the moliceiros. You discover it during a walk.

Why is the Praça Humberto Delgado of Aveiro particular?

Because it is at once a square, a bridge and a roundabout above the central canal, making the link between the north and the south of Aveiro, there where once passed the bridges dos Arcos and das Almas; you admire there the bronze statues of the traditional trades of the region, like the salineira and the marnoto, and the passage of the colourful moliceiros.

Where is the Praça General Humberto Delgado in Aveiro?

Above the central canal, in the heart of Aveiro, in Portugal.