Venue

Aveiro
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Coordinates: 40°38′N 8°39′W / 40.633°N 8.650°W / 40.633; -8.650Coordinates: 40°38′N 8°39′W / 40.633°N 8.650°W / 40.633; -8.650
Country	Portugal
Region	Centro
Intermunic. comm.	Região de Aveiro
District	Aveiro
Parishes	10
Government
• President	José Ribau Esteves (PSD-CDS-PPM)
Area
• Total	197.58 km2 (76.29 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	78,455
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zone	WET/WEST (UTC+0/+1)
Local holiday	May 12
Website	www.cm-aveiro.pt

Aveiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [aˈvejɾu] or [ɐˈvɐjɾu] (listen)) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. In 2011, the population was 78,450, in an area of 197.58 square kilometres (76.29 sq mi): it is the second most populous city in the Centro Region of Portugal (after Coimbra). Along with the neighbouring city of Ílhavo, Aveiro is part of an urban agglomeration that includes 120,000 inhabitants, making it one of the most important populated regions by density in the Centro Region, and primary centre of the Intermunicipal Community of Aveiro and Baixo Vouga. Administratively, the president of the municipal government is José Ribau Esteves, elected by coalition between the Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Social Centre, who governs the ten civil parishes (Portuguese: freguesias).

History

The presence of human settlement in the territory of Aveiro extends to the period associated with the great dolmens of pre-history, which exist in most of the region.

For a long period Aveiro was an important economic link in the production of salt and commercial shipping. It was a centre of salt exploration by the Romans and trade since 26 January 959 (from the testament of Countess Mumadona Dias to the cenóbio of Guimarães). During this testament, Mumadona Dias also highlighted the ancient name for Aveiro, referring to the monastery's lands in Alauario et Salinas, literally, "a gathering place or preserve of birds and of great salt".

It was invaded by the Moors and held until the 11th century, after which it became popular with Portuguese royalty.

Kingdom of Portugal

Infanta D. Joana, daughter of King Afonso V

Later, King João I, on the advice of his son Pedro, who was the donatary of Aveiro, requested the construction of fortification walls.

King D. Duarte conceded in 1435 the privilege of providing an annual duty-free fair, later referred to as the Feira de Março (March Fair), today still an annual tradition.

The Princess St. Joana, daughter of Afonso V lived in Aveiro, entering the convent of Jesus, and lived there until her death on 12 May 1490. During her life her presence brought attention to the town, and favoured it with an elevated level of development for the time.

The first charter (foral) was conceded by Manuel I of Portugal on 4 August 1515, as indicated in the Livro de Leituras Novas de Forais da Estremadura. Its geographic position along the Aveiro River had always helped it to subsist and grow, supported by salt market, fishing and maritime commercial development. By the beginning of the 15th century, there already existed a great wall around the historical centre, intonating the significance of the community and growth of the population. This included the founding of many religious institutions and their supports, which assisted during the 17th and 18th century crises associated with silt in the waterway. In the winter of 1575, a terrible storm closed the entrance to its port, ending a thriving trade in metals and tiles, and creating a reef barrier at the Atlantic Ocean. The walls were subsequently demolished and used to create the docks around the new sand bar.

A depiction of the execution of Duke José Mascarenhas of Aveiro

Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the river's instability at the mouth (between the Ria and open ocean) resulted in the closure of the canal, impeding the use of the port of Aveiro, and creating stagnation in the waters of the lagoon. This blow to the economy created a social and economic crisis, and resulted in the decrease in the population and emigration. It was at this time that the Church of the Miserícordia was constructed, during the Philippine Dynastic union.

José Estêvão, parliamentary and 19th-century hero

In 1759, King José I elevated the town to the status of city, a few months after condemning the Duke of Aveiro (a title established in 1547 by João III), José Mascarenhas, to death. As a result, Aveiro became known as Nova Bragança: it was later abandoned much later, and returned to Aveiro. In 1774, by request of King José, Pope Clement XIV instituted the Diocese of Aveiro.

In the 19th century, the Aveirense were active during the Liberal Wars, and it was José Estêvão Coelho de Magalhães, a parliamentary member who was determinant in resolving the problem of access along the Ria. He also helped with the development of transport, especially the railway line between Lisbon and Porto. It was the opening of the artificial canals, completed in 1808, that allowed Aveiro to expand economically, marking the beginning in the town's growth.

The municipality was elevated to the status of town, centered on its principal church, consecrated to the Archangel Michael, today the location of the Praça da República (having been demolished in 1835).

Climate

Aveiro has a warm-summer mediterranean climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The maritime influence causes a narrow temperature range resulting in summers averaging around 24 °C (75 °F) in daytime temperatures, considerably lower than inland areas on the same parallel on the Iberian Peninsula. As typical of mediterranean climates, summers are dry and winters are wet. A coastal feature is that frosts are rare and never severe. The hottest temperature recorded was 39.3 °C (102.7 °F). Temperatures above 32 °C (90 °F) are extremely occasional, and averages only a couple of times per annum.

Tourism

The central area with its Art Nouveau buildings and boat rides on Barcos Moliceiros attracts many tourists.

Tourism is also important for the economy. The old town centre, with its Art Nouveau and Romanesque architecture and "gondolas" (barcos moliceiros once used for collecting moliço seaweed) plying the Ria de Aveiro canals, is referred to as "The Venice of Portugal" in some tourist brochures.

Important tourist attractions are the Arte Nova (Art Nouveau) architectural designs and tiles of some buildings that were created in the early 20th century, the Art Nouveau museum, the Aveiro Museum (Museu de Aveiro, formerly the Mosteiro de Jesus convent with exhibits of King Afonso V's daughter, Santa Joana), the 15th century Aveiro Sé or São Domingos cathedral and the Church of Jesus (Igreja de Jesus) with its beautiful architecture. The nearby beaches, Costa Nova and Barra, attract many visitors in warm weather; they can be reached by bus from Aveiro. Other sites of interest to tourists include the Carmelite Church and the Misericórdia Church built in the 16th century.

Parts of this text and pictures were copied from

Conference Location

Getting to Aveiro and The University of Aveiro

By Plane	When travelling to Aveiro by plane, the closest airport will be Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport in Oporto, located some 70 kms to the north of Aveiro. Your other possible point of entry by plane would be Portela International Airport - (other website) in Lisbon which is located 250 kms to the south of Aveiro. From Oporto Airport to Aveiro by train The trip between the airport and the two main Porto railway stations (called Porto-Campanhã and Porto São Bento ), which have direct rail connections to Aveiro, can be done by taxi for around €20 and takes around 20-30 minutes. A less expensive way to reach the Porto-Campanhã and Porto São Bento railway stations is to use the Metro (E line), which has a terminal at the airport. The trips between the airport and the railway stations take about 32 minutes and the ticket costs €1,85 (Z4 ticket). Click here for Metro information. The train journey to Aveiro takes between 40 minutes and 1h15, depending on the type of train and train station used. The best choice of train service is the inexpensive urban train service (Urbano), which provides a direct route to Aveiro with a journey time of 1h15 A single ticket from Porto to Aveiro costs €3.55/€1.80 (adult/child), and the return ticket is the price of two singles €7.10/€3.60 (adult/child). The journey falls within " Zone 9" pricing bracket of the Porto urban train lines.There are also express trains (called Intercidades IC or Alfa Pendular), which take 43-53 minutes, but these trains are significantly more expensive (from € 11.70 to € 19.70) and require a connection at Porto-Campanhã. For a detailed fare guide, please see the CP website: Click here for IC train timetables. From Lisbon Airport to Aveiro by train If you're arriving by plane, the simplest form of transport to Aveiro is by train from Gare do Oreinte trainstation. To get to the train station, you can go by taxi, which takes about 10 minutes and costs around €10, but there are less expensive ways to get there, by bus, for example. A ticket to the city center should cost €1.35. One also has an option of purchasing an all day ticket at €3.35. AEROBUS: Linking the Airport to downtown Lisbon and Cais do Sodre (every 20 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) CARRIS BUSES: No. 5, 8, 22, 44, 45, 83 or by metro (red line, buying the " Viva Viagem" card, €0,50 along with the 1 hour Travel Ticket, €1,40). There are regular direct trains to Aveiro from Gare do Oreinte trainstation. Given the distance between Lisbon and Aveiro, it is best to use the fast train services (Alfa or Intercidades). The train journey from Lisboa-Oriente to Aveiro using the Alfa and Intercidades trains takes around 2h30m and costs up to €25. There is (at least) one train every hour from 6.00 AM to 9.30 PM. Click here for train timetables. From Porto Airport by car At the airport there are various car hire agencies. Follow the signs for the A1 motorway in the direction of Lisbon (there is a toll charge of around €3.5, and can be paid in cash or with a credit/debit card). Leave the A1 at the exit for Aveiro and take the A25. The University is near the hospital. From Lisbon Airport by car At the airport there are various car hire agencies. Follow the signs for the A1 motorway in the direction of Porto (there is a toll charge that can be paid in cash is around €15 or with a credit/debit card). Leave the A1 at " Aveiro-Sul/Águeda" (exit 15) and take the EN235 directly to the city centre. The University is near the hospital.
By Train	As stated above Aveiro, is linked with all major cities in the rest of Portugal by the Alfa Pendular (between Lisbon and Braga; Lisbon and Oporto; Faro and Oporto) and Intercity (between Lisbon and Oporto as well as Lisbon and Guimarães) trains. Furthermore suburban links through the Urbanos do Porto and, also, the Linha do Vouga, a narrow gauge railway to Águeda and Sernada do Vouga. Aveiro railway station is located about 20 minutes walking distance or 5 minutes taxi ride from the University Campus. To reach the Campus, you can also use the bus (green line) which departs at regular intervals from outside the railway station.
By Bus	From Porto There is no point taking the intercity bus from Porto to Aveiro as the journey is much longer, the fares are more expensive, and there are fewer departures. From Lisbon The intercity bus network is operated by Rede Expressos, and their fastest route takes 1h25, but some services take over 2 hours. An adult single fare costs €8.60 and a return is €15.40. Further information and the booking of tickets can be made on the Rede Expressos website. Rede Expressos buses depart from the Campo 24 de Agosto bus station, which is to the east of the city. The bus station is close to the 24 de Agosto metro station, and is only a short walk across the Jardim do Campo 24 de Agosto Park.
By Taxi	Taxis are available at the Aveiro train station. To calculate the price of a local taxi ride use this fare calculator. Taxis Rodrigues Aveiro: Rua do Carril, Aveiro, 63 3° Drt., 3800-129 Aveiro, Portugal.  Tel:  +351 915 003 547 TAXI 41, AVEIRO - Frota de 4 Carros com 5 e 9 Lugares, R. Dr. Arlindo Vicente, 3800-095 Aveiro, Portugal.  Tel:  +351 964 836 902
By Car	Arriving by car Aveiro is located 40 minutes away from Oporto, 2 hours from Lisbon (motorway A1) and only 2 hours from Spain (motorway A25). From north, using the A1 motorway, or from the east, using the IP5/A25, follow in the direction of Lisbon. Exit the A1 in the direction of Aveiro and take the IP5/A25. There are two exits to the city from the IP5/A25, first "Aveiro-Norte" and some kilometres further on, the "Aveiro" exit. This second exit is best for reaching the University of Aveiro (the University is near the Hospital). From the south, using the A1 motorway, follow in the direction of Porto. Exit the motorway at "Aveiro-Sul/Águeda" (exit 15) and follow the EN235 road directly to the University Campus (the University is near the hospital). From the south, using the A8 and A17 motorways, exit at "Aveiro-Sul" and follow the EN235 road directly to the University campus (the University is near the hospital). These motorways have a system of electronic payment: please see the electronic toll website for more info.
On Foot	All chosen hotels are within easy walking distance of University of Aveiro. (see hotel page)

University of Aveiro Location Map

Useful Links

• Aveiro Weather
• Aveiro transport
• Aveiro sightseeing