Rabelo boat moored on the River Douro waterfront Porto Portugal
by James Brunker
Title
Rabelo boat moored on the River Douro waterfront Porto Portugal
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
A view looking across the Douro River to historic buildings and the Kopke wine and port company cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Vila Nova de Gaia is on the south bank of the Douro River, opposite the better known neighbouring city of Porto / Oporto on the north bank. It is where many of the port producing companies have their storage cellars / warehouses and outlets, tours of these are one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Porto.
One of Porto's famous rabelo boats is moored in the foreground. These flat-bottomed wooden boats were once the main way of transporting people and goods (especially the port wine) along the River Douro. The flat bottom and shallow draught were necessary to navigate the then often shallow and fast-flowing waters of the upper Douro in particular. The name rabelo ("little tail") refers to the long wooden projection from the rear of the boat which is used to steer it. Construction of dams and locks on the river and a railway alongside it mean the boats are no longer used in the traditional way, though some can still be seen in Porto and along the river.
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, publication, transmission or use in any form without written permission prohibited.
Uploaded
October 22nd, 2023
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