Gil Eannes Hospital Ship
Navio Gil Eannes
An ocean-going hospital ship built in 1955 at a local shipyard, which served the Newfoundland cod fleet. It is now a museum ship that visitors can board.
The Gil Eannes was the hospital and supply ship of Portugal's 'White Fleet', which fished for cod off Newfoundland and Greenland. Built in 1955 at the Viana do Castelo shipyard, she returned to her home port in 1998 and was converted into a museum ship moored at the pier beside the old town. Aboard, you can visit the operating room, wards, pharmacy, bridge, captain's cabin, and galley, which recreate the harsh lives of distant-water fishermen. Some cabins have also been converted into a youth hostel. Tickets cost about €5, and it is open roughly 09:30–18:00 (shorter hours in winter). A visit takes about an hour.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–18:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Costume Museum
- Praça da República
- Viana do Castelo Cathedral
- Fort of Santiago da Barra
- Romaria da Senhora d'Agonia
- Eiffel Bridge
- Sanctuary of Santa Luzia
- Cabedelo Beach