The Former Jerónimo Pereira Campos Ceramics Factory

You're currently strolling in the Fonte Nova district, one of the newest areas of the city. The modern buildings surrounding you are proof of that, except for the large red structure by the water’s edge. This building is a former ceramics factory, founded in 1896 by Jerónimo Pereira Campos and his four sons. At the time, their factory was the only one producing Marseille-style bricks and tiles between Porto and Pampilhosa. It wasn’t until 1923 that regional competitors started to appear. Still, the Campos family held their ground. Not only did they survive, but they also expanded. This building was added between 1915 and 1917, and over the years, the family acquired several factories in Viana do Castelo in the north and Sintra near Lisbon. By the 1960s, economic struggles took their toll. The company was sold to a bank, and operations were moved to newer production sites in Taboeira, just outside the city. The old factory in Aveiro was abandoned, and most of the buildings were demolished, except for the façades, a few kilns, and two towering chimneys. After major renovation and restoration work in 1995, the site transformed into the Aveiro Congress Centre. While its purpose may have changed, its soul remains. The original industrial architecture was carefully restored, preserving a unique piece of Aveiro’s heritage. Go ahead and get your camera ready, especially since the famous “I love Aveiro” steps are coming up, which make for a great photo opportunity.