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Ustulation furnace.

Category: Civil Architecture > Oven

District: Beja > Mértola > Santana de Cambas > Monte do Roncão

Location

The Roasting Furnace is uniquely positioned on Monte do Roncão, in the locality of Santana de Cambas, belonging to the municipality of Mértola, in the district of Beja. Situated within the vast and serene Alentejo landscape, this location offers an atmosphere of tranquility, typical of Lower Alentejo. The surroundings are marked by wide horizons and low-lying vegetation, with some scattered trees dotting the terrain, creating an environment of deep connection to the nature and the rural and industrial history of the region.

Testament to the Mining Past

This Roasting Furnace is a remarkable vestige of an era when mining was a driving force of the local economy. Structures like this were crucial in the mining process, serving for the roasting, or calcination, of ores. This method involved heating minerals to high temperatures to remove impurities, such as sulfur or arsenic, or to prepare the ore for subsequent extraction stages, making it purer and more manageable. It thus represents a fundamental piece of the region's industrial heritage.

Architecture and Function

Architecturally, the Roasting Furnace reveals a robust and functional construction, designed to withstand the high temperatures inherent to its purpose. Generally built using local materials, such as stone or brick, its structure is an example of the practical engineering of its time. Although the specific details of each furnace may vary, its shape and dimensions were dictated by the need for efficiency in the heating and ventilation process, with specific openings for loading the ore, expelling gases, and regulating air flow.

Cultural and Scenic Importance

Beyond its historical and technical relevance, the Roasting Furnace holds intrinsic value as a scenic element of the landscape. Its presence on Monte do Roncão underscores the interaction between man and environment over the centuries. Observing this structure allows the visitor to reflect on the resilience and innovation of past communities, who knew how to harness the natural resources of the land. It is a point of interest that invites contemplation of the vast natural beauty and cultural heritage of deep Alentejo.

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

Coordinates DD: 37.65741458219491, -7.506069604028251
Coordinates DMS: 37°39'26.7"N 07°30'21.9"W

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