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O Navio Gil Eannes

O Navio Gil Eannes, Viana do Castelo: Address, Phone Number, O Navio Gil Eannes Reviews: 4.5/5

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O Navio Gil Eannes

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O Navio Gil Eannes
4.5
845
#2 of 71 things to do in Viana do Castelo
Speciality Museums
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4.5
845 reviews
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J D
United States83 contributions
One of a Kind Museum
Mar 2022
A truly unique museum, the naval hospital ship Gil Eannes was built in Viana do Castelo in 1955 to serve Portuguese codfishing crews working off the coasts of New England, Canada's Maritime Provinces and Greenland.
The hospital ship was decommissioned in 1984, and was going to be sold for scrap in 1997, when a group of friends of the Gil Eannes persuaded the Portuguese Navy not to destroy the ship but instead to sell it to a private foundation who had the vision of repurposing the Gil Eannes into a museum honoring the hospital ship's history.
On a side note of relevance today, the hospital ship even had a separate ward with its own canteen to isolate and treat patients suffering from contagious illnesses!
A must see for visitors to Viana do Castelo
Written 23 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
pjm_pt
Oeiras, Portugal1,306 contributions
A Must-do in Viana do Castelo
Oct 2021
You can feel how tough life at board Gil Eannes could be. Very well organised museum throughout the boat, fro the normal decks tothe hospital services. Well done. This is clearly a MUST DO in Viana do Castelo
Written 4 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NomadicTraveller7
Fuerteventura9,865 contributions
Very interesting and worthwhile
Aug 2020
We really enjoyed our visit to this historic boat. The displays are very interesting, though, as many have said, it would have helped to have had the signs in English as well as Portuguese. It was fascinating to think how large the Portuguese cod fishing industry was in the Newfoundland and that a hospital ship was required to look after them. As you tour the boat you visit operating theatres, recovery wards, quarantine facilities, with all the equipment that you would expect to see in a hospital. There also had to be the accommodation for the doctors, nurses, and specialist. There was even a visit to the engine room. It has been exceptionally well restored

Be prepared for lots of climbing up and down and allow at least an hour as there is so much to see.
Written 21 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anna
3 contributions
Has a great potential
Sep 2020 • Solo
I was without children and I do not speak Portugese. I go to museums to be educated, perfectly in a funny way. The only thing missing for visitors of my profile is to translate labels to English. There were less than 1% translated to English. Even the video was without subtitles (at least 3 minutes that I watched). You can do so much better if you start translating things! Cause I had a good feeling about the exhibition itself - the ship is well maintained, huge, quite interactive, with a reach history. You need to do just a little bit to become the top museum of Viviana for everybody! In the current state, it was rather a disappoitment for me due to very good reviews (apparently mostly by Portugese people).
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
T L
Wiesbaden, Germany255 contributions
Interesting piece of history
Jul 2020 • Couples
Very well planned exhibition one way, one lane to all the rooms - unfortunately most of the exhibition is only in Portuguese (not sure whether they offer audio guide in other languages) but it is still interesting to learn about the part of history. I think it is great for kids but would be slow when there are more visitors as the interior is not so big.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JackSara K
Bagnoles de l’Orne Normandie, France258 contributions
A medical museum restored to its former glory
Oct 2019
The floating museum is a 1955 vintage floating hospital for the fisherman's fleet that fished the waters off Newfoundland. Access requires some climbing (up and down), but the authenticity and history is excellent.
Written 22 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anfrist
Bucharest, Romania4,275 contributions
Complete ship experience
Oct 2019 • Family
This ship offers a very complete dive into the life of a sailor in modern days, showing living quarters, command rooms, engine rooms, decks, kitchen, social areas and medical ones. Very nice views as well.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Susan V
Johannesburg, South Africa514 contributions
Interesting Hospital Ship!
Sep 2019
This ship supported the Portuguese fishing fleets off Newfoundland by providing full medical services. Well worth seeing especially the equipment used for operations.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
aladdin_mp
Arizona589 contributions
A surprise find nearby
Oct 2019
Interesting and an eye opener to the duties and responsibilities of those who help the men of the sea. Stairs involved
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark D
Portishead, UK1,001 contributions
If you like engineering then this is wonderful!
Oct 2019 • Solo
Being an engineer was lovely on this ship - to see the mechanical, Marine and electrical way of doing things 50+ years ago was wonderful. The engine room and engineering drawings, kitchen, medical facilities etc. Were wonderful.
4€ entry but what I thought was a one hour visit ended up being 2!
Written 2 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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