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English Factory - Leisure and cultural centre in historic Silves

    Situated in the lower part of the city of Silves, just to the southeast of the medieval castle, is the Fábrica do Inglês (English Factory), a former cork-processing factory that was under English ownership between 1944 and 1962.

Today the factory complex has been converted into a comprehensive and extremely attractive leisure and cultural amenity with a tearoom, café, tapas bar, grill house, pizza house and a wonderful seafood restaurant.

With facilities to cater for weddings, conferences and large formal dinners (accommodating up to 1,300 diners) the complex also houses a fascinating cork museum charting the history of one of the formerly most important industries in the region.

During the summer months, Fábrica do Inglês plays host to a nightly open air theatrical extravaganza featuring musical and dance acts from all over the Iberian Peninsula, including Fado (traditional Portuguese ballad singing) and some of the most spectacular Flamenco acts in the world.

The famed Fábrica do Inglês fountains, in the centre of the complex, come into their own on the summer evenings when the sky over Silves is lit up with miraculous luminous green rays of light as Fábrica erupts with the awe-inspiring high-tech lazer show “Aquavision” (unique in Europe) projecting intricate images onto the walls of the castle situated above the Fábrica complex.

Last, but very definitely not least, Fábrica do Inglês plays host to the annual Silves summer beer festival. This hugely popular, weeklong, event is attended by all nationalities in a great atmosphere of joviality, good beer and excellent music – and lasts until way past most people’s bedtime!