This is the birthplace of Portuguese naval engineering. Ribeira das Naus was the royal shipyard, established in the 15th century, where the carracks and caravels of the Age of Discovery were built and repaired. After the 1755 earthquake, the area was redesigned by the Marquis of Pombal. Cais do Sodré became established in the 19th and 20th centuries as the main river terminal (cacilheiros) to the south bank and as a departure point for coastal shipping vessels.
Historically, Ribeira das Naus hosted the construction of large vessels. Today, Cais do Sodré serves exclusively public transport ferries. Ribeira das Naus, after its recent redevelopment, has a more recreational and cultural role, remaining to this day as a riverside promenade for walks, leisure, and nautical events. It welcomes small, historic, and tourist boats, and is a central point for leisure routes and river cruises, even though it does not have significant capacity for permanent mooring.
Current function: Public river transport (Cais do Sodré), tourism and leisure (Ribeira das Naus). It is a key hub for urban mobility.