Lime kiln

Category: Civil Architecture > Forno de cal

District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > Quinta da Torre

Location

The Lime Kiln is located in the village of Quinta da Torre, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo. It is integrated into a rural area, appearing as a discreet element in the Alentejo landscape. Its presence on site offers a glimpse into the tranquil environment and built heritage, which blends with the natural surroundings.

An Industrial Legacy

This kiln is a testament to an activity once essential for the region: lime production. It was used to burn stone, specifically calcite, at high temperatures, transforming it into lime. Lime was a fundamental construction material, used in mortars, plasters, and paints, but also had applications in agriculture, such as fertilizer. Its existence underscores the importance of exploiting local resources and human ingenuity for their transformation.

Construction Features

With a distinctive circular shape, the kiln was built predominantly with traditional solid brick, a robust material traditionally employed in local construction. Its structure reflects a functional design, conceived to optimize the firing process, allowing for efficient heat circulation. The kiln's current appearance, marked by the passage of time, reveals the durability of the materials and the ingenious simplicity of its architecture.

Testimony of an Era

More than a simple structure, the Quinta da Torre lime kiln represents a link to Montemor-o-Novo's industrial and artisanal past. It symbolizes an era when the local economy depended directly on the soil's resources and the inhabitants' knowledge to transform them. It is an element that invites reflection on the evolution of construction techniques and the relationship of communities with their natural environment.

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