VARINO BOAT 'LIBERDADE'

Built in Abrantes in 1945 and baptised with the name Campino, this vessel was designed to transport goods along the river Tagus. During the 1960s, it started to transport cargos of waste from Lisbon to the south bank of the Tagus and, later, salt on the river Sado. During that decade, river transport declined and the boat, in the meantime re-baptised Rio Zuari, was sunk. On 25 April 1988, already restaured and owned by Vila Franca de Xira Town Council, was rebaptized Liberdade and transformed into a Museum Centre, with visits onboard from March to October.

Among the various existing routes, we highlight the trip to the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve, where visitors can observe the fauna and flora in their natural habitat. Around 120 thousand birds, of 200 different species nest there before migrating to the rest of Europe or to Africa. With an area of 14,560 hectares, the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve covers an extensive surface area of estuary water, muddy zones and marshlands, river islets (Alhandra, Lombo do Tejo, Garças and Póvoa), salt marshes, pastures and agricultural land. It extends over the municipalities of Alcochete, Benavente and Vila Franca de Xira, where EVOA (Birdwatching Space) is located, enabling visitors to learn about the unique natural heritage between the wetlands and the Tagus Estuary (further information at www.evoa.pt or evoa@evoa.pt). On one of these trips, as the Liberdade passes by Alhandra, visitors will see endless views over the slopes of Municipal Estate of Subserra, where Encostas de Xira wine is produced and bottled.

With a round bow and flat bottom, length of 18 metres, 40 gross registered tonnage and two sails (foresail and square lateen sail), this is a traditional varino boat, whose crew consists of a skipper in command of two or three sailors. Every year, after eight months of navigation, Liberdade is taken to a dry dock for maintenance, painting and special care between November and February, as it happens with all boats of this kind.