Fabrica da Baleia Centro do Mar Museu (Whale Museum) - Horta, Portugal
N 38° 31.383 W 028° 37.524
26S E 358309 N 4265103
The Fabrica da Baleia Centro do Mar Museu (known in English as the Whale Museum) is located in the former local whale factory in the town of Horta on Faial Island in the Archipelago of the Azores, Portugal.
Waymark Code: WM9RM9
Location: Arquipélago dos Açores, Portugal
Date Posted: 09/25/2010
Views: 4
The whale factory, located in the Porto Pim area of Horta. The museum tells the story of local whalers and their hunting expeditions. The original factory equipment, which has been renovated, is on display at the museum.
"The whale processing factory began operation in 1943, fully two [years before] World War II. Its owner was SIMAL - Azorean Maritime Industrial Society Limited, incorporated in 1939. The company had as its objective the exploration industry to take full advantage of cetaceans and trade their products. Factory SIMAL was a modern structure for its time with its automated machinery, processing, during the 30 years of work, about 1940 whales and 44,000 cans of whale oil. In 1974, following the worldwide decline of the whaling industry, the factory closed its doors. In 1980 it was acquired by the Government of Azores in 1984 and was classified as a Public Interest. In 2000 it was renovated and now used as a cultural, educational and institutional, called by the Sea Center Since 2004 the factory is used and managed by the Azorean Sea Observatory (WCO)."
--Source (
visit link)