Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Leiria > Maceira
Situated in the locality of Maceira, in the municipality of Leiria, the museum is located in an area with a strong industrial identity, where the past and present of cement production intersect. The surroundings reflect the working-class character of the region, with old factory structures marking the landscape and creating a unique setting that links industrial architecture to the natural territory.
The museological space is integrated within the perimeter of the former Maceira-Liz factory, offering an authentic perspective of the environment where cement was produced. The area is tranquil, with easy access and views of the limestone reliefs that formed the basis of the local cement industry itself.
The museum occupies part of the old factory unit founded at the beginning of the 20th century, a pillar of the region's economic development. The space preserves vestiges of the production line, integrating them into routes that reveal the successive transformations of the industry over the decades.
The visit includes the observation of old structures, such as kilns and silos, as well as areas where machinery has been preserved or reconstructed. Objects used in the daily lives of workers, technical documents, and materials that testify to the evolution of manufacturing practices are also exhibited.
Composed of several thematic nuclei, the museum addresses areas such as the geology of raw materials, the history of the factory, industrial processes, the archaeology of labor, and the environmental impact of cement activity. There is also space for oral and social memory, with testimonies from former workers that help to understand the reality lived between kilns, dust, and stone.
Audiovisual resources complement the experience, with emphasis on films from the 1930s that illustrate old techniques for producing and transporting cement. These documentary records reveal not only the technical processes but also the socio-labor context of the time.
The visit is mostly on foot, through industrial buildings and reconverted outdoor areas. The sensation of crossing an old factory is constant, allowing for a direct approach to Maceira's industrial past. Some architectural elements have been kept in their original state, while others have been recovered to house exhibitions or reflection spaces.
At certain points along the route, it is possible to observe the impact of mining activity on the surrounding limestone slopes, now consolidated as a geotechnical prevention measure. This contrast between the intensive use of the territory and the current concern for its recovery adds depth to the visit.
In addition to the historical component, the museum has a study aspect linked to industrial archaeology, geology, paleontology, and technology. These areas are addressed both in permanent exhibitions and in research projects developed in collaboration with universities and study centers.
The space is also used as a pedagogical resource, particularly for schools and educational institutions. Contact with the factory's technical history, through guided tours by former workers, creates a link between generations and offers a concrete perspective on industrial transformation cycles in Portugal.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.68619034242785,-8.901746476171509
Coordinates DMS: 39°41'10.3"N 08°54'6.3"W
Weather Maceira
On-duty Pharmacy Maceira
