Welcome to my second post on the #Haveyoubeenhere community!
Today, I write you about an old Gunpowder Factory that's located in Barcarena, a small village with more then 5500 years, located in municipality of Oeiras, Portugal.
Barcarena's Gunpowder Factory, also known as Black Gunpowder Museum, is a park and one of the great centers of culture in Oeiras. The area around this former armaments factory stands out for its academic, scientific and artistic activities. A very inviting space with its exhibitions and leisure spaces.
detail of the main entrance
We are welcomed with in a some how majestic entrance, with bright yellow colors, that we are going to see replicated in every-other building inside
At the right side of the entrance, it's located the museum entrance, that due to the pandemic situation it's for the moment not open to visitors. I've already visited the Museum, and I might say that it's very interesting. The manufacture, the processing and the shipping of the gunpowder loads are one of the main issues of this exposition.
The factory was build back in 1729 by António Cremer. After that it suffered some innovations and magnifications on its plant. Firstly it used the power of water steam, going to electric energy (produced by two Diesel generators and one hydroelectric central plan, installed in 1924 and 1929).
This old factory was rebuild, transformed, and delivered to the population, after the closer of the facilities back in 1998, after its closure in 1988.
The History of this plant it's very well known by the local population,since many of the workers were from the surrounding areas, and one of the most tragic fatality that happened back in 1972, were a violent explosion in one building of eight compartments lead to the death of 4 workers, and leaving many more wounded.
Nowadays, it's a very quiet place with a lot of gardens inside, with a thematic central park, were the Nature elements are the main focus of it, one coffee house, and one Restaurant.
Some cultural associations, and theatrical companies operate in some of the small buildings, presenting their work with 6 months interval
The magical paths invite us to a calm and relaxing Sunday stride... I confess that it's a very usual place for me to visit with my mother, when we want to go for a easy and refreshing Sunday walk
Shooting range for testing the loads
Benchrest for the heavy artillery guns
As soon as you walk through the place, you get to see a lot of magic details that "mother Natures" give us for free
All you have to give it's your time, and calm to appreciate it
Detail of a Hortensia broad with large heads of pink flowers ( Hydrangea macrophylla). This flowering plant native from Japan, are very popular in Portugal. One curiosity about their flowers coloration: their flowers are blue were the pH of the ground is low (acid) or pink where it's high pH (alkaline).
At the main part of center patium you have a garden that has the "Four Elements of Nature" has the main point
representing the wind element
small detail of the grid under my feet
water element
small bell that was used to communicate with the workers
At the exit of the main entrance, this is the scenario that you get. One way street with not so much traffic, and a inviting place to burn some extra calories at your walk back home...
Detail of the entrance of the Colegue
I hope you liked my second entry for the #Haveyoubeenhere community!
Hope to share some more interesting photographic material, and "hidden" places from Portugal.
Thanks for the time that you've spend reading!
Cheers!