Old Cod Drying Area.

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Alcochete > Alcochete > Várzea

Location

The Old Cod Drying House is located in the Várzea area, in the town of Alcochete, a municipality on the south bank of the Tagus estuary. This strategic point, close to Praia dos Moinhos, offered ideal conditions for the industrial activity that developed there. Its position allows visitors to observe the vast riverside landscape that has always shaped the identity and economic activities of this historic village.

A Hub of Fishing History

This site was a fundamental pillar of the Portuguese fishing industry, transforming Alcochete into the largest national center for cod drying and preparation. The installation of the first salting and drying units dates back to 1941, with the official inauguration of the first large drying house in 1951. Companies such as Bacalhau de Portugal, Pescal, and Sociedade Nacional dos Armadores do Bacalhau (SNAB) operated intensely on these grounds. It was a common sight to see cod fishing boats docking at the quay or anchoring offshore, unloading fresh fish from the distant Atlantic waters and loading salt for upcoming campaigns. Larger vessels used lighter vessels for transshipment of their cargo, a testament to the constant movement that took place there.

Vestiges of a Legacy

Currently, the Old Cod Drying House is marked by the vestiges of its former facilities. These remaining structures, although in ruins, invite contemplation and imagination, allowing visitors to visualize the grandeur and hard work of the industrial operation that took place there. The presence of these architectural memories in the riverside landscape evokes an era when cod was a crucial economic driver for the region and the country. The site symbolizes not only the economic importance of the sector but also the lives and work of countless people, including women who migrated from other regions to work here, contributing to the social and cultural dynamic of the local community of Alcochete.

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