Fábrica de aguardente da Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte, Industrial heritage site in Porto da Cruz, Portugal.
The Fábrica de aguardente da Companhia dos Engenhos do Norte is an industrial facility in Porto da Cruz that transforms sugarcane into aguardente using traditional distillation methods. The complex demonstrates the entire production process from raw material to finished spirit.
The factory was established in 1858, marking the start of industrial-scale spirit production in northern Madeira. This founding fundamentally changed the region's agricultural structure and economic practices.
The factory embodies Madeira's deep connection to sugarcane farming and spirit-making traditions that have been handed down through generations. Visitors can see how these customs remain alive in the daily operations today.
The site is located near Porto da Cruz town center and is easy to reach on foot. Guided tours explain the production steps and allow visitors to see the working machinery and processes up close.
The factory still uses original machines from the 19th century that have rarely been modernized. This equipment operates on the same principles as it did more than a hundred years ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
