Pardilhó: Shipyards, Weaving and Hotels

The themes of a stay in Pardilhó range from traditional boatbuilding and the history of the Igreja de São Pedro to weaving, walks and cycling in flat terrain, and stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoons. Those interested in local crafts will find different types of work: boatbuilding and painting on the one hand, and weaving carried out entirely by hand on the other. Active days can also include trails on land and activities on the water.

Boatbuilding and Shipyard History

Pardilhó still has shipyards where boats for the sea and the lagoon are built, including Moliceiros. At two shipyards near Ribeira das Bulhas, visitors can see the construction and painting of Moliceiros, Bateiras and Xávega boats. This means the focus is not solely on finished boats: construction and painting are two distinct aspects of shipyard work. The types mentioned make clear that Moliceiros are not the only kind of boat included in this experience.

A former workplace is also part of Pardilhó’s shipbuilding history: the former traditional wooden boatbuilding site was rebuilt and converted into the Centro de Interpretação da Construção Naval. Shipbuilding is thus represented both as a craft that continues in the shipyards and through the transformation of a former shipyard site.

Church and Crafts

Construction of the present-day Igreja de São Pedro de Pardilhó began in 1812. On Saint Peter’s Day in 1835, two baptisms were celebrated there for the first time. More than two decades separate the start of construction from this first baptismal event; the dates therefore mark different stages in the church’s history. The Igreja Paroquial de Pardilhó, also known as the Igreja de São Pedro, is a church dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its architectural layout includes a nave, chancel and sacristy.

At the Casa do Tear, weaving is done entirely by hand. The difference from shipbuilding is clear: here it is weaving, while there it is the construction and painting of boats. This comparison brings together two distinct examples of traditional crafts in Pardilhó.

Trails, Market and Lagoon

The flat landscape of Pardilhó is well suited to walks and cycling. Routes include the Grande Rota da Ria de Aveiro and the Bio-Ria circular trail. The flat terrain is a common feature of both options: Pardilhó is described as a place for both walks and cycling. The two routes give these activities specific names.

The weekly Sunday market takes place on Sunday mornings and offers local crafts such as wooden clogs and mats made from Bunho reeds. This adds another area of traditional craftsmanship alongside the shipyards and weaving. If you would like to visit the market, plan for Sunday morning.

Stand-up paddleboarding is available on the lagoons of Pardilhó. This adds a water-based activity to walks and cycling on land. The distinction is useful when planning your day: walking and cycling trails follow the flat landscape, while stand-up paddleboarding takes you onto the lagoons. The focus is therefore on different forms of activity, not interchangeable versions of the same tour.

Discover more destinations: Fermelã, Estarreja.

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