Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay, Meat processing factory in Fray Bentos, Uruguay.
Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay is an industrial complex built along the Uruguay River with brick structures designed for processing and preserving meat. The site contains multiple buildings and original machinery that display the scale and methods of this once-massive operation.
The facility opened in the late 1800s and produced meat under the Fray Bentos brand for markets across Europe. After more than a century of operation, the plant closed in 1979 and was preserved as a window into industrial heritage.
The factory drew workers from around the world who built a complete community on-site with shops, schools, and gathering spaces. These neighborhoods reflected the multicultural character of those who labored here and shaped daily life far beyond just work hours.
The site now operates as a museum with guided tours through preserved machinery and work areas that demonstrate how production once happened here. Wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are extensive and require substantial walking to explore.
Products made here fed Allied forces during both World Wars, serving as a crucial supply line for preserved meat across the conflict. Few visitors realize how this remote factory became an essential part of global military food supply during those years.
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