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Museum · Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo
Navio Gil Eannes
Hospital ship built in Viana do Castelo in 1955 to support the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet in Terra Nova and in Groenlândia; today it is a museum and a hostel at the port.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Navio Gil Eannes
Gil Eannes was built in 1955 at the Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo to serve as the hospital and support ship for the so-called Frota Branca, the Portuguese sailing ships and vessels that fished cod on the banks of Terra Nova and in the waters of Groenlândia. It replaced an earlier ship of the same name that had done that work since 1927.
Besides treating sick and injured fishermen, the ship acted as a maritime authority, carried the mail, supplied the fleet, served as a tug and even as an icebreaker. It was the fleet's principal ship until 1973. After years of inactivity, it was rescued and brought back to Viana, where it remained permanently moored in the port.
The visit goes through the bridge, the engine room, the galley, the cabins and the hospital area, with the consulting room, the operating theatre, the pharmacy and the wards, equipped as they were at the time. Panels tell the story of cod fishing and life on board.
Part of the ship functions as a hostel.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
On the visiting days and times, which change with the season; check in advance. It's a good option for rainy days.
How to get there
It is moored at the dock in the port, on the bank of the rio Lima, about a 10-minute walk from Praça da República.
Tip
Take a close look at the hospital area, with the operating room and the pharmacy: it's the part that shows the ship's main function.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Navio Gil Eannes
What was the ship Gil Eannes?
The hospital and support ship for the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet in Terra Nova and in Groenlândia, from 1955 to 1973.
What can you visit on the Gil Eannes?
The bridge/command deck, the engine rooms, the cabins, the galley and the medical area, with a consulting room and an operating theatre.
Where is the ship located?
Moored in the port of Viana do Castelo, on the bank of the rio Lima, near the centre.