An army of dead anchors at Barril beach, Island of Tavira, Portugal

This collection of rusted anchors, also called the cemetery of anchors is located on the island of Tavira, near Barril beach in the region of Algarve, Portugal. As you can see from their perfect alignment, they were not abandoned, but rather put in this place on purpose.

A story exists to explain their presence. It's the story of an active tuna fishing activity who sustained hundred of families for centuries, along with all the plants that go wit such activity.

At a certain point the resource was over fished, and couldn't sustain the fishing activity anymore. The tuna fishermen and the fishing industry is long gone now, it's been replaced by hotels and tourists. This strange cemetery is now a reminder of the past, when tunas were a living resource.


coordinates : 37°05'12.17"N 7°39'41.26"W
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pictures sources : 1 2 3
text source : 1 2