Colonia Agricola

Colonia Agricola is a small rural community which sits adjacent to the Atlantic Coast in the greater Aveiro area of Portugal.

Location

Colonia Agricola da Gafanha da Nazaré borders the Gafanha clump - Gafanha d'Aquem, Gafanha da Encarnacao, Gafanha da Nazare, and Gafanha do Carmo - and is part of Ilhavo area. Born of national agriculture incentive programs, it presents a quaint and familial setting.

Tourism

Its agricultural roots slowly expire, as descendants of original land grantees become more educated and technically skilled. It has remained well-preserved and beautifully maintained, even as scores of local tourists flood the area every year for traditional events - such as yearly camping weekends, in which large numbers of local youth set camp for 2-3 days in the 'matas' (as the local pine and acacia forests are known); and various Portuguese feasts, including Sao Paio among others.

Economy

Ilhavo is widely recognized for its centuries-old historic intiatives in charting the seas and exploring its resources. Its traditions are deeply seated in fishing and marine exploration, and its dishes rival the best in world - with seafood dishes such as 'Bacalhau-a-Bras', 'Bacalhau com Grelo', 'Mariscada', 'Littlenecks with Garlic Sauce' (an appetizer), and 'Enguias'; many other dishes abound, including the very famous 'Cozido-a-Portuguesa' and 'Carne a Alentejana'.

Local industry is founded on fishing and sea-charting traditions, and is strengthened by large marine ports, where multitudes of cargo and fishing ships can be seen daily. Large corporations have set hold on the locality - with brand names such as Friopescas - and largely revolve around fish and vegetable processing.

While its agricultural and fishing industry provide the foundation pillars on which Ilhavo has historically stood on, its Porcelain industry, as well as its well-developed tourist attractions are equally important in supporting and funding local undertakings.

Porcelanas da Vista Alegre, a local porcelain producer, is internationally recognized for the artistic hand painted porcelain collections they display, which demand a high premium to other producers. Immediately visible from the river, it is also a striking historic industrial site, well-deserving of the abundant educational visits it sponsors.

urrounding area

Costa Nova, which itself borders ocean, sits a short 10 minute trip west, and is the concentration point of all tourist activities. Due to renovated interest in the area, its beaches proudly display pure silky white sands - which are thoroughly maintained - and beautiful piers which sport exquisite t-shaped tubular structures to absorb the impact of the waters (picture requested). Its roads are fraught with top-notch restaurants - including the famous 'New York Pizza', whose pizza pies, despite the name, taste distinctly Portuguese. Cafes provide a hang-out place with plentiful outdoors space and a cosy interior atmosphere.Beautiful architecture displays the area's cultural and artistic roots in buildings like these.