A Tour of Cultural & Leisure Treasures – Póvoa de Varzim | Portugal

Hello everybody :)

The coastal city of Póvoa de Varzim, in Portugal, is a charming destination for lovers of culture, history and outdoor and seaside leisure activities, with a maritime heritage that intertwines with modernity.
With the article i share today, i will bring to an end this brief visit made in a single afternoon, and for that very reason a lot was left unrecorded, but with the desire to one day return to infiltrate further into the interior and walk through those narrow, winding streets that lead us through the middle of the city, where we can find small squares and rustic buildings that stand in perfect contrast to recent and contemporary constructions.

In registering this article, i chose to include some sculptures that we found along the way and that stand as an artistic and honoring manifestation throughout the city, such as the sculpture of St. Peter that pays homage to Saint Peter, the patron saint of the fishermen, by Armando Correia, initially sculpted in plaster, going through several transformations until it was finally cast in bronze, the predominant material in this type of sculpture, and installed in its current location.
In this symbolic representation, Saint Peter appears in a vigil pose while casting the fishing net into the deep waters of the ocean, thus inspiring many fishermen.

Practically in the same place, at a distance of the width of the Avenida dos Descobrimentos that separates them, we can see another sculpture, also with symbolic links to the sea and the culture of the land, Monument to the Fishmonger, designed by Jaime Azinheira in honor to the Poveira woman who played and continues to play a vital role in the fishing community, who, in addition to selling the fish, repair the fishing nets, take care of the house and children while the men fish on the high seas.

To finish this round by some of the monuments that we can find on a walk around the city and of course, the Monument in honor of the fisherman himself, for his strength and determination, the work of João Cutileiro, which differs from the others in style and material , this was carved in marble with varying tones, located next to the Fountains of the Coast facing the Marina.

This large space where the fountains were built is another captivating attraction in Póvoa de Varzim, especially in the summer, serving as a meeting point for the community to socialize and cool off.
Anyone who passes by can't help but notice the Marina, which despite not being huge, is spacious enough with its 241 mooring points to allow it to receive and keep “parked” around 100 boats.
The structure is relatively modern and its strategic location allows easy access to the city of Porto, making it a perfect stopping point for those sailing along the Portuguese coast.

At that point, regattas and sporting events are also held throughout the year, with the main focus on the Clube Naval Povoense.
Founded in 1904 and evolving over the years, Clube Naval has a rich history as a sports, cultural and community association, focused on activities such as regattas, swimming and rowing, covering a variety of water sports, including sailing, sport fishing, polo water, surfing and diving, thus catering to a wide range of interests, from competitive sports to leisure and training activities.

Still with the view of the Marina, it is now possible to see the Póvoa de Varzim Skate Park, which is one of the main radical “land” attractions in an area with activities mainly directed towards the sea.
The facilities and characteristics of the terrain are aimed at skateboarding, in-line skating and BMX, with ramps and obstacles for skateboarders and bikers, attracting young people from all over the country and even from neighboring Spain.

When it comes to water sports, Praia do Peixe, with a very small sandy beach, located between the 2 Marinas present on site, serves as a natural amphitheater for people to sit and relax and watch the activities that take place there, or even to use as an entry point into the water, as was the case with a boy who was getting equipped on the beach when we arrived and who quickly launched himself into the water with a very peculiar board holding on to a kind of inflatable sail that helped him moving with the wind.
This small beach is located close to the Lapa Occupational Center and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa.

Before returning to the starting point and finding out that we were awarded a parking fine (my fault, i confess), we did not end the visit without first passing by the Church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa, also known as the Capela da Senhora da Lapa , of modest and unpretentious construction, with baroque style architectural elements, was built at the request of the fishing community, being dedicated to the devotion of Nossa Senhora da Lapa.
What makes this construction unique is an old lighthouse, now deactivated, which faces the ocean and which in times past played an emotional and practical role, connecting the church to the fishermen who faced the waters, still carrying a deep cultural and symbolic meaning today.

On the facade, there is also an imposing bell tower of large proportions, which contributes to the church's striking presence in the landscape. Furthermore, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa is currently in the classification process, with an opening order issued by IGESPAR, further highlighting its historical and cultural importance.

And as i mentioned previously, with this article i end this brief visit to Povoa de Varzim, with the hope of returning there soon.
That's all for today

Photo by @aleister
Camera - Samsung SM-A528B
Camera - Canon EOS 600D
Lens - EFS 18-55mm
Location - Portugal

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Value your time, because every fraction counts, and the price of anything is the amount of life you trade for it.
May the memories of the travels be eternalized in the photographs, and may the photographs transport us back to the travels ;)