Atadeiras of Peniche

A special tribute to the ladies and the men who spend their days patiently weaving the huge fishing nets in Peniche.

This hard job is still little known both among Portuguese and foreigners. This job is mostly done by women, but there are some men too. They are called "atadores".

In 1975, when Portugal was already a democratic country, the "atadeiras" and "atadores" of Peniche led a major strike, demanding huger incomes and better working conditions. In fact, the people of Peniche has always been a struggling, politically engaged and hard-working people.

Nowadays, the image of the "atadeiras" sitting at the port of Peniche upon their giant fishing nets, as if they were a sea, is still deeply touching. Times have changed, living and working conditions have improved, but this image somehow takes us to the well-known harshness of the fishing world.

In 2013, the municipality of Peniche inaugurated a mural that pays tribute to the "atadeiras" and "atadores" of Peniche.

So deeply attached to the fishing roots of Peniche, the "atadeiras" are a symbol of determination, commitment and, ultimately, of Portugal and its sea-related tradition !

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