Gil Eannes Hospital Ship (Museum)

The Gil Eannes Hospital Ship, docked at the Viana do Castelo fishing dock, began its activity as a hospital in 1955 to support the Portuguese cod fishing fleet of the coast of Newfoundland and Greenland. When the cod fleet was deactivated, it was degraded on the Lisbon docks for many years. In 1998, the Gil Eannes Foundation, considering it a cultural and affective heritage of the city, rescued her from the scrap dealer. After being cleaned and restored, he was received and docked at the commercial old dock of Viana do Castelo. The reconversion transformed it into a museum, assuming as a pole of attractiveness for Viana do Castelo - city whose population, have a feeling of affection for the ship, for having been built in his shipyards and the support that provided to the hundreds of fishermen. The Foundation has the ambition to make the ship and the city, one of the main references to the maritime theme, and to contribute to the preservation of the collective memory of a people, and of a nation that foresaw its main sea source of development. Annually organizes different activities: different activities as books presentation, anniversary, World Tourism Day and Sea National Day celebration, Europe Heritage Journeys... Recently, started publishing books related to the cod fishing, Ships and thematic of the seas, to show and maintain alive to the younger generation the importance of the history lived by the fishermen, the crew members and other people’s memories.