For centuries the tuna industry flourished in Algarve, Portugal. When fishermen flocked to the coast of Portugal, the tuna population became threatened over time until it was no longer profitable to fish for tuna. The ships are long gone, however the anchors were left behind.
Rather than toss used materials to sea, the fishermen would abandon the anchors on the beach. In order to clean up the Tavira beaches, the anchors were staggered neatly as you see them today. Who did the staggering and when – we don’t know.
The locals call it the Cemitério das Âncoras(cemetery of anchors) and since no official record was made of the anchors source, all we have is the word of the locals that have passed down stories from generation to generation.
Comparatively there isn’t much mystery behind the anchors as we know they were placed there by fishermen over time – we just don’t know when or specifically who arranged them in that manner. In fact most recently, there were discussions to clean up the anchors from the beach. What do you think? Eyesore or cultural history?
(Click thumbnails to enlarge)
See it on a map here
(Images via WebUrbanist & Artificial Owl)