Museu dos Baleeiros, Maritime heritage museum in Lajes do Pico, Portugal
The Museu dos Baleeiros occupies three restored 19th-century boat houses near the harbor, displaying maritime objects and traditional whaling equipment from the Azores region. The spaces are arranged to show how whalers lived and worked in this coastal community.
The museum was founded in 1988 to preserve memories of Azorean whaling practices that continued until 1987. That year marked the end of this regional tradition when the last sperm whale was caught in Portuguese waters.
The collection features scrimshaw art created by local craftsmen during long sea voyages, showcasing the skill and patience these mariners developed while working far from home. The carved bone pieces reveal how whalers expressed creativity and passed time during months at sea.
The venue is accessible on most days and visitors should allow time to view the displayed items at a relaxed pace. Signs help visitors navigate through the different rooms and exhibition areas throughout the space.
The museum maintains an extensive library focused on whaling documentation alongside a reconstructed workshop demonstrating traditional processing methods. This working space lets visitors grasp the physically demanding nature of the industry.
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