About
“Just over an hour from Lisbon, you can discover a city that prides itself on being a therapeutic and artistic refuge. Elected creative city by UNESCO.”
SILOS Contentor Criativo is located in Caldas da Rainha, a municipality renowned for its thermal waters and for the activity of ceramics and design.
The importance of thermal activities in Caldas finds its place of reference in the Thermal Complex, which includes the old Thermal Hospital and the Hospital and Caldas Museum. In these spaces, the history of what is the oldest thermal hospital in the world and the famous Book of the Commitment of Queen Leonor is shown.
The connection between Caldas da Rainha and art, and its rich legacy, can be found in other spaces around the Park, just a short walk away, the Arts Center and the Cycling Museum, which house an expressive and diverse collection , in addition to providing spaces for temporary exhibitions.
Next to the thermal baths, it is to Ceramics that the city owes its fame. In the Museum of Ceramics, housed in a romantic palace from the 19th century, you can discover a collection of crockery from Caldas and from other Portuguese and foreign ceramic centers – on a journey through the history of this art that goes from the 18th century to contemporary times.
One of the reasons for the interest of this museum is related to another illustrious name of the city: here we find a set of works by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. To speak of Caldas is to speak of Bordalo, who left a lasting influence here. The Caldas da Rainha Faianças Factory was created by him in 1884, with the help of Ramalho Ortigão, and has become a world reference and its objects an icon of Portuguese culture, present in thousands of homes.
Proof of the Bordalo legacy is the homage paid to him through the streets. Scattered around the city, sculptural works on a human scale, taken from the artist’s vast imagination, surprise passersby, in what is a true Bordalian Route, one of the most fun ways to get to know the center of Caldas. You can also visit the workshops of potters from Caldas and have a unique experience, working with clay and taking a little bit of Caldas da Rainha with you.
In the heart of the city, we find the Praça da República, also known as Praça da Fruta. With its beginnings dating back to the 15th century, this colorful outdoor market is the only one that takes place daily in the country. It is showcase of the rich agricultural and gastronomic production of the region and privileged place to observe Arte Nova in Caldas. The romantic tile facades circle this vibrant square, which also houses the historic Café Central and the Capela de São Sebastião. Those interested in Art Nouveau can leave the square for Rua Dr. Miguel Bombarda, to be able to appreciate more examples of this movement by making the Art Nouveau Roadmap.
Source: Turismo do Centro de Portugal
WHAT COMES FROM THE FACTORY?
It is curious to look at the course of such an important building and think about all the adaptations it has undergone. For years it functioned as a milling factory; nowadays the workers are different and so are the grains.