Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
piped music is played. Flags indicate danger level: red (no one allowed in the water), yel-
low (wading is safe), and green (no problem).
If you see a mass of children parading through town down to the beach, they're likely
from a huge dorm in town, where poorer kids from inland areas of this part of the country
are put up for a summer break.
Boats used to line the beach in summer and fill the squares in winter, but when the
harbor was built in 1986, that's where the boats ended up. Today, only re-creations occur
(on most Sundays in May), when boats line the main square to show the hands-on fishing
process of the past (confirm exact days with the TI).
If you stroll south along the promenade toward the new harbor, you'll come to a few
traditional boats in the sand, with prows high to cut through the surf. Try to imagine the
beach before 1986, littered with boats like these, with old men mending their nets. Oxen
(and later, tractors) hauled the boats out each day. (Across the street is the town's Cultur-
al Center—with interesting exhibits and the TI.) Near the boats is a mackerel crucifixion
zone—where ladies still sun-dry their mackerel and sardines. (They may try to sell them
to you, but the fish need to be cooked again before eating.) Preparing and selling fish is
the lot of Nazaré women married to fishermen. Stroll to people-watch. Traditions survive
even among younger women.
The buildings beyond this point are new. While it may seem that in Nazaré most
of the people are older than most of the buildings, the town is a Portuguese Coney Is-
land—thriving with young people who flock here for fun-in-the-sun on the beach.
