Santa Maria Manuela

Built in 1937 by the Companhia União Fabril (CUF) of Lisbon, Santa Maria Manuela is an iconic four-masted schooner from the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet. Originally designed as a cod-fishing vessel, she sailed for more than two decades to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Canada, bearing witness to Portugal’s long and distinguished maritime tradition.

During her fishing career, the vessel was operated by several fishing companies, most notably the Viana do Castelo company until 1963, followed by the Ribau company of Aveiro. By 1993, deemed obsolete, the ship appeared destined for demolition. However, her story was far from over.

In 1994, a group of public institutions acquired the hull and established the Santa Maria Manuela Foundation, initially with the aim of preserving the traditional cod-fishing heritage. After the hull was sold to Pascoal & Filhos in 2007, the vessel underwent an extensive and complex restoration process.

The restoration was carried out in two phases: first at the Navalria shipyard in Gafanha da Nazaré for the hull, and subsequently at the Factoria Naval Marin shipyard in Galicia for the fitting-out. In May 2010, Santa Maria Manuela returned to the port of Aveiro, transformed and ready for a new life.

Today, the vessel is primarily employed in cultural tourism and takes part in numerous international maritime events. She has notably participated in The Tall Ships Races, the Armada de Rouen and the Brest Maritime Festival, continuing to captivate audiences with her history and striking presence.

One of the last survivors of the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet, alongside Creoula, Santa Maria Manuela now stands as a living ambassador of Portugal’s maritime heritage, sailing between historical memory and contemporary adventure.