Creiro Fish Salting Factory

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Azeitão > Creiro

Location

Situated in the idyllic Creiro area, in Azeitão, Setúbal municipality, the Fish Salting Factory enjoys a unique natural setting. The ruins are located at the foot of the southern slope of the stunning Serra da Arrábida, integrated into the protected landscape of the Arrábida Natural Park. Its position, halfway up the hill and close to the coastline, offers a tranquil environment, just a few steps from coves with clear waters such as Galapos Beach, east of Portinho da Arrábida. It is a place that invites contemplation of nature and the past.

Testament to Roman Past

The Fish Salting Factory of Creiro is a remarkable vestige of Roman engineering and economic activity in the Setúbal Peninsula. This industrial complex, dating back to the 1st century AD, was an important center for the production of preserved fish, known as salsamenta. Fish such as mackerel, sardine, and tuna were processed and salted here on a large scale, becoming essential products for the diet and trade of the Roman Empire. The importance of the Setúbal region at the time is highlighted by the existence of other industrial centers and the production of amphorae intended for the transport of these preserves.

Architecture and Ancient Operation

What can be observed today in Creiro are the ruins of a well-organized factory unit. The main structure, with a rectangular plan, integrated several tanks, called cetariae, where the fish was salted and macerated. These tanks, of various dimensions and quadrangular shapes with rounded corners, were carefully lined with a special mortar, "opus signinum," which made them waterproof and facilitated hygiene. In addition to the production area, the complex included storage spaces and a courtyard, essential for the workflow. A notable feature is the presence of an independent bathing area, with compartments for hot (caldarium) and cold (frigidarium) baths, and an underground heating system (hypocaust), revealing a concern for the well-being of the workers or perhaps a higher use for the administrators. The abundance of fresh water, vital for the factory, was guaranteed by a nearby diving well.

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