Vigo Roundabout with the Bernardo Alfageme Ship — Live Webcam

A Ship in the Middle of the Road: Symbol of Maritime Vigo

In the Coia neighborhood in southern Vigo, there is a roundabout unlike any other. Right in the center of the traffic junction stands a real fishing vessel — the Bernardo Alfageme, 31 meters long. This is not a mock-up or a prop — it is a real ship, built in 1944 at the Barreras shipyard right in this city. For many years it rusted in the port until 2021, when it became the main decoration of the roundabout on Castelao Avenue. Locals still argue about this decision, but the fact remains: it is now one of the most unusual traffic interchanges in Spain.

The History of Bernardo Alfageme: From Trawler to Monument

The vessel came into being in 1944, when Vigo was already one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. The Barreras shipyard built such vessels for fishing in the waters of Newfoundland and Greenland. Bernardo Alfageme served its time and then stood abandoned in the port waters for decades. In 2021, the city council decided to give it a second life — the ship was placed on a special pedestal in the center of the roundabout. Rounded stones (cantos rodados) were laid around the hull, and the rest of the area was covered with natural grass. Walkways, decorative lighting, and large glowing letters with the inscription "Á xente do mar" — "To the people of the sea" in Galician — appeared.

Turbo Roundabouts: A Dutch Invention, Galician Style

Vigo is called the city of turbo roundabouts — there are almost 20 of them here. The idea came from the Netherlands, where such structures began to be used in the 1990s. The first turbo roundabout in Vigo appeared about ten years ago on Gran Vía, and since then their numbers have only grown. The result is impressive: the number of accidents at intersections has decreased by 43%. The principle is simple: spiral markings force drivers to slow down and choose their lane in advance, before even entering the roundabout. The city plans to build five more such interchanges.

Budget and Construction: How Much a Ring Road Costs

Upgrading Vigo's transport infrastructure is an expensive and lengthy project. The initial feasibility study for the ring road was commissioned by Spain's Ministry of Public Works back on December 7, 2005. In 2018, the project was substantially revised, returning it to the initial development stage. The construction of roundabouts is being carried out with a budget of over 2.8 million euros, 70% of which is financed by the provincial government of Pontevedra. Cameras at the interchanges are installed for speed control and safety — in 2025, Spain's first roundabout camera appeared in Salamanca, but Vigo also actively uses video surveillance for traffic monitoring.

Local Names and Perception

The roundabout with the ship in Vigo is called by different names: "Rotonda del Barco" (Ship Roundabout) or "Rondada de las Bombas." Turbo roundabouts are simply called "turboglorietas" here. The installation of Bernardo Alfageme at the intersection sparked a wave of criticism — many residents believe the ship spoils the view and interferes with traffic. Others see it as a tribute to the city's maritime traditions, where fishing has been the backbone of the economy for centuries. Be that as it may, the object has become a full-fledged landmark — tourists come specifically to see the ship in the middle of the road.

Night Lighting and Landscape Design

The roundabout in Coia is not just a traffic junction, but a full-fledged public space. Natural grass, decorative lighting, glowing letters of the "Á xente do mar" inscription in both directions of travel — all this makes the object noticeable both day and night. The ship is illuminated at night, creating a dramatic effect. Pedestrian paths and sidewalks around the roundabout are landscaped and lit, so local residents use this space for walks.

What the Camera Shows

The live webcam broadcasts the roundabout in real time. The stream shows traffic on the turbo roundabout, the historic Bernardo Alfageme ship on its pedestal, the glowing letters with the "Á xente do mar" inscription, and the surrounding landscape design with grass and stones. The camera allows you to assess the congestion of the intersection at different times of the day and see how the turbo roundabout system works in real conditions in Vigo.