Caldeirão Central

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Santarém > Torres Novas > Torres Novas > Salvador

Location

The Caldeirão Power Station is located in the heart of Torres Novas, in the Salvador area, with a privileged position along the banks of the Almonda river. This setting highlights its historical connection to the power of water, which was essential for its operation. Situated in a consolidated urban area, its presence marks a point of interest that integrates industrial heritage into the city's fabric.

Industrial Memory and Architecture

This unique building was once a vital hydroelectric power station, responsible for the production and distribution of electricity that illuminated Torres Novas from the early decades of the 20th century. Its operation, between 1923 and 1984, marked an era of local development. The Power Station is today a museum core that preserves the memory of its original function, featuring the restoration and exhibition of heavy machinery, such as hydraulic turbines and a thermal engine from that period, central pieces in the history of the region's electrification.

The current building, inaugurated in 1940 and designed by architect António Rodrigues da Silva Júnior, is an example of industrial architecture from the first half of the last century. Its refurbishment allowed for the safeguarding of an important example of industrial heritage, providing visitors with a clear understanding of its historical relevance and the impact it had on the daily life of the community.

A Space for Culture and Knowledge

After years of inactivity, the Caldeirão Power Station was reborn as a dynamic hub, not just as a museum, but as a space for cultural promotion. Its transformation aims to go beyond the mere exhibition of the past, proposing to be a place for knowledge production and artistic enjoyment. The industrial environment now serves as a backdrop for various cultural expressions, including hosting emerging artists and other performative and visual manifestations.

This place symbolizes Torres Novas' capacity to reinterpret and give new life to its industrial legacy, transforming it into a meeting point for the population and a space that stimulates creativity and the sharing of cultural experiences. Its integration into the Portuguese Industrial Tourism Network reinforces its role as a national reference in this field.

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