Burel factory

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Manteigas > Manteigas > Manteigas (São Pedro)

Location

The Burel Factory is located in Manteigas, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of Serra da Estrela, a region known for its imposing nature and rich traditions. The factory is situated in the Amieiros Verdes area, in Manteigas, integrating naturally into the mountain landscape and the identity of the municipality, where the connection to the mountains is intrinsic.

A Renewed Textile Legacy

The building that today houses the Burel Factory has its origins in 1947, the year Lanifícios Império was founded, one of the most significant wool factories in Serra da Estrela. After a challenging period, this industrial heritage, which was threatening to disappear, was carefully recovered. The project's primary mission was to ensure the continuity of vast knowledge, passed down through generations, and to safeguard a valuable collection of looms, carding machines, and other ancestral machinery. This revitalization effort transformed the old factory into a unique space where history, design, and innovation unite, celebrating and preserving the valuable cultural and industrial heritage of the mountain.

The Art of Burel

At this location, it is possible to witness the production of burel, a traditional wool fabric with deep roots in the region's wool industry. Its manufacturing respects secular processes, many of which were carried out manually in past eras. Visitors have the opportunity to observe 19th-century machines in full operation, hearing the rhythmic beat of the looms that give shape to this unique fabric. The experience allows for immersion in the artisanal process, unveiling the skill and dedication that transform raw material into pieces of singular character, keeping alive a tradition with profound cultural significance.

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