The Ermesinde Cultural Forum occupies the building of an old factory, of which the oven is preserved as a museum gallery. The adapted space also has an auditorium and galleries for temporary exhibitions. The old factory was founded and began its activities in 1910 under the name Empresa Industrial de Ermesinde, dedicated to the manufacture of Marseille tiles and bricks, among other ceramic products. In the 1920s it achieved great prosperity. This activity grew and new partners were associated, giving rise to an excellent example of industrial architecture from the beginning of the century. In 1995, this decadent space was acquired by the Valongo City Council and, on May 18, 2001, the Ermesinde Cultural Forum was inaugurated.
With the intention of decentralizing the cultural offer in its most varied aspects, the Forum is a multifunctional space for artistic production and dissemination, which is intended to be the core of the city’s cultural life.

The cultural project outlined for this equipment – ​​where the new crosses the old, in the perfect cycle of Knowledge – is based on the concept of contemporaneity. At the same time, the Ermesinde Cultural Forum preserves a testimony of the past that still remains in the memory of the Municipality’s inhabitants, contributing to the creation of a living history built by everyone. Designed for diverse use, events take place here weekly in the context of the most diverse Performing Arts. With capacity for 302 seats, this auditorium is supported by a technical office, two translation offices and dressing rooms.