Tabacalera, Gijón, Former tobacco factory and convent in Cimadevilla, Spain
Tabacalera is a large complex occupying an entire block in Gijón's old town, featuring a sturdy rectangular design organized around multiple internal courtyards. The building displays solid architecture with regular facades characteristic of industrial-era construction.
Built in 1670 as an Augustinian convent, the complex was repurposed in 1843 as a tobacco factory where it operated for nearly two centuries before closing in 2002.
The structure reflects both religious community life and industrial labor within its spaces, having served monks and factory workers across centuries. Today visitors can sense these layered human experiences in the building's design and layout.
The complex is located on Plaza Periodista Arturo Arias in the heart of the old town and is easily accessible on foot. The site is currently closed for renovation but will reopen in 2027 as a contemporary cultural space, so check ahead for access updates.
In 1903, cigar makers employed here organized one of Asturias' first female worker strikes, demanding better working conditions. This event made the site a landmark in the region's labor movement history.
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