Maritime Heritage Catalogue
As “blue tourism” becomes a relevant branch of the economy, the development pressures upon coastal landscapes and ecosystems increases. This catalogue delves into potential sites, not aiming for their immediate development, but to inquire, through careful analysis of their natural, cultural and social characteristics, into the network of possibilities they present. “Heritage” and “maritime” become synonymous with “culture” and “ecosystems”, raising awareness for the sensitive and delicate qualities that continue to exist in unique territories and landscapes. How can such places be approached, whilst avoiding the predatory drive with which tourism and economy often flattens sites with enormous potential? This booklet is a companion to the Atlas of Good Practices, both delving into the possibilities and challenges brought by blue tourism development.
This booklet presents the Catalogue and Study of the Atlantic Maritime Heritage and Landscape from a Holistic Dimension, coordinated by the University of Porto within the framework of the project SEALabHaus — Atlantic New Bauhaus Laboratory for Sustainable, Inclusive and Beautiful Blue Tourism, Heritage and Culture of the Sea. SEALabHaus is funded by the Interreg Atlantic programme, and coordinated by the Universidade da Coruña, bringing together partners from Ireland, Brittany, Galicia, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, reflecting a shared commitment to explore the intersections of heritage, ecology, and sustainable tourism across Atlantic territories.
The case studies included in this catalogue were selected with the aim of representing a broad spectrum of maritime heritage across the Atlantic region. From the many possibilities suggested by the project partners, the team at the University of Porto selected sites that collectively encompass a diversity of heritage types—natural, material, and immaterial—while reflecting different periods of human and non-human occupation of the Atlantic territories. This ranges from natural features such as seaweed colonies and biogenic reefs, through sites of resource extraction such as salt production facilities, to traces of Roman occupation, navigational landmarks, military infrastructures, and contemporary small-scale, polyvalent fisheries.
The chosen cases—Skellig Michael in Ireland, the Port of Lorient in Brittany, the Freixo-Broña stretch of the Galician Maritime Culture Plan in Galicia, Angeiras in Portugal, and Costa de Arinaga in the Canary Islands—illustrate the variety of forms of heritage and temporal layers present in the Atlantic region. Each case presents a unique combination of heritage types, illustrating the multiple ways in which communities interact with, adapt to, and preserve the Atlantic coastal environment.
Through this publication, the Maritime Heritage Catalogue provides a comprehensive overview of selected Atlantic maritime heritage sites, presenting them as living landscapes where natural, cultural, and historical values coexist. The catalogue is offered in both print and digital formats, allowing wider accessibility and ensuring that its contents can support diverse audiences, from researchers and policymakers to local stakeholders and practitioners. By documenting the material and immaterial features of these sites, and situating them within their wider ecological and cultural contexts, the catalogue facilitates a holistic understanding of heritage and its management.
Finally, the catalogue is intended not only as a reference resource but also as practical support for the ongoing work of SEALabHaus. The NEB Compass—a tool for the analysis of projects according to the values of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), including assessment of levels of ambition and directions for projects to activate change—is used to position the case studies as testing ground for sustainability, inclusivity, aesthetic qualities. It will serve as foundational material for training activities and will underpin the implementation of pilot projects envisaged within the project framework, translating research insights into tangible actions. In doing so, the publication contributes to the broader goals of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically grounded approaches to maritime heritage and blue tourism, while fostering cross-territorial collaboration and knowledge exchange across Europe’s Atlantic region.
Diego Inglez de Souza and André Tavares