Limestone Kiln Câmara de Lobos
Once hot, then hated, now historic – the Forno da Cal is Câmara de Lobos’ smokiest piece of heritage.
Area
Câmara de Lobos
Type
Government Building
Entrance Fees
Not possible to enter - No Touchy Touchy, Only Looky Looky
Good To Know
Forno da Cal – Smoke, Sharks & Forgotten Glory
Tucked away in Sítio da Trincheira, near the seafront of Câmara de Lobos, the Forno da Cal is more than just an old oven – it’s a monument with a dramatic past, some lingering fishy smells, and a whole lot of stories.
“Câmara de Lobos Walking Tour”
Built around 1874 by Roque Teixeira de Agrela, this limestone kiln once helped build Madeira – literally. It was vital for producing lime used in construction. But the locals? Not so thrilled. By 1960, the smoke and smell had people complaining louder than seagulls at lunch, and the oven was shut down for good.
But wait – it didn’t end there.
After years of silence, the space took on a new identity: a small-scale, slightly salty industry for drying “peixe gata” – a deep-sea shark (Scymnus lichia) caught between 300 and 1,800 metres below Madeira’s waves. Because why not turn a lime oven into a fish dryer? 🐟🔥
Today, the Forno da Cal sits in quiet retirement, part of the Câmara de Lobos seafront redevelopment plan. It may be weathered and neglected, but this smokestack of history is still standing – a reminder of the island’s grit, grind, and ever-adaptable spirit.
A little restoration and it could be a true star — museum, gallery, shark jerky tasting room? The potential is hotter than ever.
Opening Hours
Out of Order
Location
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Sometimes it's not so easy to find the exact location of the Sight. That's why we've included the GPS coordinates.
32.64678250407054
-16.973685980749785
Highlights
The only pass you need in paradise
