Braço de Prata Factory

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Arts Centre

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Poço do Bispo

Location

Fábrica Braço de Prata is located in the eastern part of Lisbon, in the Marvila neighborhood, in an area known as Poço do Bispo. This location reflects a part of the city that was historically an industrial hub. The surroundings are characterized by an urban fabric that harmonizes old factory buildings with a transforming landscape, giving the place a distinct atmosphere in the capital.

An Industrial and Military Legacy

The space now occupied by Fábrica Braço de Prata began operating in 1908, originally as the Artillery Projectile Factory. Over the decades, this military industrial unit expanded its activity beyond ammunition, encompassing the production of a variety of equipment and weaponry. During the Overseas War period, the factory reached the peak of its production, playing a fundamental role in supplying the Portuguese Armed Forces with essential material, such as automatic rifles, mortars, and machine guns. Fábrica Braço de Prata was deactivated in the 1990s, closing an important chapter in the national defense industry.

Cultural Rebirth

Since June 2007, the former facilities of Fábrica Braço de Prata have been transformed into a dynamic private cultural center. This rehabilitation project breathed new life into the vast industrial buildings, preserving their architectural memory while adapting them to host a wide range of artistic and cultural activities. Currently, the venue offers spaces dedicated to art exhibitions, rooms that serve as stages for cinema and theater performances, and a vibrant environment for musical acts, establishing itself as a meeting point for cultural enjoyment in Lisbon.

The Uniqueness of the Space

The experience of visiting Fábrica Braço de Prata is marked by the uniqueness of its industrial architecture. The spacious buildings, with their original characteristics preserved, create a unique atmosphere that sets them apart from other cultural spaces. The scale and structure of the old factory pavilions contribute to an environment with its own distinct character, where the history of the place intertwines with the vitality of contemporary artistic creation. It is this intersection between the industrial past and the cultural present that gives Fábrica Braço de Prata a strong and memorable identity.

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