Category: Archaeology > Industrial Complex
District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Setúbal > Centro Histórico
This archaeological complex is located in the historic center of Setúbal, housed in the cellars of a building at Travessa de Frei Gaspar, nº 10. It is situated below street level, revealing traces of an ancient industrial unit that stretched along the coastline.
The site is integrated into an old urban fabric, where the narrow alleys and surrounding houses contribute to an atmosphere of discovery, with the heritage discreetly embedded beneath the contemporary ground level.
Dating from between the 1st and 5th/6th centuries AD, this factory was intended for salting fish and crustaceans, producing condiments such as garum, highly valued throughout the Roman Empire. The activity continued until the medieval period, serving local and export markets.
The discovery dates back to the 1970s, during works on the building, when salting tanks were identified that bear witness to ancient fish preservation techniques. Since 1982, the site has been classified as a Property of Public Interest.
Underground, 14 cetariae made of stone and mortar stand out, arranged in parallel, each with original piping and drainage systems. The thick walls and impermeable linings still retain traces of contact with brines.
The interior atmosphere, with dim light filtered through the main entrance, reveals details such as carefully aligned stone joints and slabs that formed the bottom of the tanks. This space offers a direct testimony of the production techniques and the way of life in Roman Setúbal.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fábrica_romana_de_salga
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.523555340394275,-8.890276318071479
Coordinates DMS: 38°31'24.8"N 08°53'25.0"W
Weather Setúbal
On-duty Pharmacy Setúbal
