Gil Eannes Ship

The Gil Eannes is a former hospital ship built in 1955 at the shipyards of Viana do Castelo, which for decades supported the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet off Newfoundland and Greenland. Moored in the old commercial dock of the city, it is now a museum and sea centre.

Besides caring for sick and injured fishermen, the ship served as flagship, mail ship, tug and icebreaker, and brought food, nets, bait and fuel to the fishing boats.

What to see on the Gil Eannes

Hospital: the medical areas of the ship, with the operating room, the wards and the pharmacy.
Ship's quarters: the bridge, the cabins, the galley and the engine rooms.
Cod fishing: exhibits on the cod fleet and the lives of the fishermen on the Newfoundland and Greenland banks.

History of the Gil Eannes

4 June 1944: the Viana do Castelo shipyards are founded, as part of a state programme to modernise the fishing fleet.
1955: the Gil Eannes is built at the Viana shipyards as a support and hospital ship for the cod fleet.
Following decades: the ship sails every year with the cod fleet to the northern Atlantic.
After its service: the ship lies abandoned until Viana do Castelo buys it back, restores it and opens it as a museum.

Visiting the Gil Eannes

Location: the ship is moored in the old commercial dock, on the riverside of the city, a short walk from the historic centre.
Tickets: the museum publishes current opening times and prices.