Marker stone - Vila do conde

This stone, approximately 2.5 metres high, was discovered during dredging operations as part of the salvage and restoration work on the quay. Photographic documentation from the early 20th century shows that the stone used to be at this location.

Its function was to guide ships in navigating and bringing their vessels ashore, preventing them from running aground on sandbanks or colliding with rocks on the river bed.

In addition to this stone, there were other marker stones along the banks of the Ave River, such as the stone found at the mouth of the river, next to the current shipyards for the construction of naval vessels.

Willem Vandenameele