Black Powder Factory
In Barcarena, hidden among streets and estates, stands the historic Black Powder Factory, one of Portugal’s first military industrial complexes. Founded in the 16th century, the factory emerged from the strategic need to produce gunpowder locally, ensuring the country’s military autonomy and avoiding reliance on imports. Over the centuries, the site became a pioneer in developing military technology, with laboratories, workshops, and storage facilities reflecting advanced engineering and safety knowledge for the time. The Black Powder Factory was crucial not only for supplying the armed forces but also for establishing Barcarena as an emerging industrial hub. Despite its historical importance, many residents of Oeiras are unaware of its existence, passing daily by a heritage site that influenced the nation’s political, economic, and military decisions. Today, remnants of the structures can still be seen, reminding visitors that part of Portugal’s technological and strategic history unfolded there. Industrial heritage experts emphasize that preserving and promoting the memory of the Factory is essential to value Barcarena’s historical legacy and its decisive contribution to the country’s security and development.
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