Blog - Navy Day, last May 2019

More than nine months after its departure from Lisbon, on May 20, 1498, Vasco da Gama's Armada finally arrived at its destination: India. This voyage, hitherto unparalleled in the maritime history, both for its duration and extension, marked the beginning of the Portuguese presence in the East, as well as a new period in the history of Portugal. For the first time, Europe and the East were now connected by sea.

In honour of Vasco da Gama and all those who contributed to the trip, the Navy Day is celebrated annually on May 20. It involves a series of events and ceremonies that invoke that anniversary, but especially the more than 700 years of existence of the Portuguese Navy and of all those who, at its service, served Portugal.

This year, the celebrations of the Navy Day take place at Coimbra. For the first time, the Navy celebrates its day in a city of the interior of the country, thus reaching the populations that, due to their location, do not have direct contact with the Navy and the coast. This is also a way of honouring the several generations of Portuguese who, over the centuries, left the interior of the country to serve Portugal at sea.

Coimbra is closely linked to the construction and affirmation of Portugal. Chosen by D. Afonso Henriques to be the capital of the kingdom in 1131, during the process of Reconquest, this city also played a fundamental role during the dynastic crisis of 1383-85 - the courts that acclaimed D. João as king of Portugal took place there. Some of the most important figures of science and knowledge in Portugal attended the University of Coimbra. Among these, we highlight Pedro Nunes. Author of extensive and innovative work in the field of mathematics, astronomy, and cartography, with decisive contributions to the Portuguese navigations, Pedro Nunes died at Coimbra in 1578.

Nevertheless, apart from science and knowledge, Coimbra was also a point of export of the agricultural and industrial production of the Centro region, through its river, Mondego. Over the centuries, the river was the main communication route between the interior and the coast, navigated by traditional wooden vessels, such as the barca serrana (mountain boat), whose activity lasted until the 20^th century.

By celebrating the Navy Day at Coimbra, a fair homage is paid to one of the oldest cities in the country and to the Mondego River, which contributed decisively, not only to the construction of the country but also to the affirmation and consolidation of our national identity.

Yet again, the Maritime Museum takes part in the celebrations of the Navy Day, offering free admission between the 18th and 20th of May in 2019. This is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity, and an excuse, to revisit the permanent exhibition and to get to know better the many testimonies of the Portuguese maritime past on display.