Old Whale Factory of Porto Pim

Category: Civil Architecture > Technological Installation

District: Açores > Horta > Horta > Porto Pim

Location

The Old Whale Factory of Porto Pim is located in Porto Pim Bay, in Horta, Faial Island. This privileged location, on the slopes of Monte da Guia, offers visitors a tranquil environment and wide views over the bay. The site is part of the Faial Natural Park, emphasizing its relationship with the environment and the surrounding natural landscape.

An Industrial and Historical Legacy

The Porto Pim Whale Factory is a significant testament to the Azores' former whaling industry. Built in 1941, it began its experimental operation the following year, under the auspices of SIMAL, Sociedade Industrial Marítima Açoreana, Lda. For about thirty years, this industrial complex was dedicated to the integral processing of sperm whales, producing oil and meals, essential for the region's economy at the time. Its closure in 1974, accompanying the global decline of whaling, marked the end of an era. The factory was classified as a Public Interest Property in 1984, recognizing its historical and heritage value.

The Whale Processing Path

As one walks through the old factory's facilities, one discovers how sperm whale processing was carried out. The space preserves much of its original machinery, allowing visitors to understand the various stages of production. The visit includes the Dissection Platform and the Hauling Ramp, where the work began. Further on, in the Autoclave House, one finds the imposing tanks where oil was extracted using steam, coming from the gigantic boilers of the Boiler House. The Meal House, in turn, displays Norwegian and German technology used to transform meat, bones, and blood into meals, in a process that was automated and continuous for its time.

Heritage and Marine Knowledge

Beyond the machinery, the Porto Pim Whale Factory functions as a center dedicated to safeguarding and disseminating Faial's whaling heritage. Inside, visitors can see an exhibition that includes artifacts and remnants from the island's old whaling stations. One of the central points of the visit is the Patrão Manuel Room, where a real sperm whale skeleton is displayed, a unique piece in the Azores. This space also offers information on the species' biology and morphology and displays the fossil of a whale skull extinct millions of years ago. The site also hosts temporary exhibitions in what was once the Coal Tunnel, solidifying its role as a hub for culture and science connected to the sea.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt