Moagem – Industrial Lodge offers a new way to discover Évora, European Capital of Culture 2027

The hotel occupies the former Moinhos de Santo António building, which opened in 1949 as a grain mill and olive oil press.

Architect Gonçalo Queirós Carvalho designed the conversion, retaining elements of the original structure and incorporating industrial machinery into the hotel’s interiors.

Moagem Kitchen draws on traditional Alentejo cooking, using local, seasonal produce and contemporary techniques.

As Évora prepares to take its turn as European Capital of Culture in 2027, Moagem – Industrial Lodge makes a stylish base for exploring the Alentejo.

VIANA DO ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL, November 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As Évora prepares to become European Capital of Culture in 2027, Moagem – Industrial Lodge offers a base for exploring the surrounding region, with a stay that brings together industrial architecture, contemporary art and Alentejo cuisine.

Évora will hold the title of European Capital of Culture in 2027. Its cultural programme will centre on Vagar, a concept rooted in the Alentejo that encourages people to take time to reflect and connect with one another and the world around them. Located in Viana do Alentejo, Moagem – Industrial Lodge offers a base for visitors attending events in Évora and exploring the wider region.

A former grain mill converted into a hotel

The hotel occupies the former Moinhos de Santo António building, which opened in 1949 as a grain mill and olive oil press. Architect Gonçalo Queirós Carvalho designed the conversion, retaining elements of the original structure and incorporating industrial machinery into the hotel’s interiors. Original machinery is on display in several parts of the hotel, alongside contemporary artworks and designer furniture. The interiors also feature iron, stone and wood, as well as large industrial windows.

The hotel’s 17 rooms each have their own layout and décor, with contemporary furniture, vintage pieces and Hästens beds, which guarantee a good night’s sleep. Accommodation options include rooms with private patios or balconies, suites and a penthouse with two balconies overlooking the Alentejo.

Regional cooking, wellbeing and time to pause

Moagem Kitchen draws on traditional Alentejo cooking, using local, seasonal produce and contemporary techniques. Cooking over fire is central to the restaurant, whose open kitchen features a seven-metre-high chimney. Diners can sit around the fire in the kitchen itself, while other spaces include an outdoor patio and a bar and lounge with a central fireplace. The wine list features producers from several regions of Portugal. The hotel’s wellness facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and an outdoor sunbathing area, with in-room massage also available.

Moagem – Industrial Lodge is also developing a kit inspired by Counting the Rice, a performance by Marina Abramović, who has a special connection to Évora. The project explores the relationship between time, concentration and creativity. The kit contains three packets of seeds and instructions for three tasks: Count, Separate and Draw. Guests are invited to count the seeds, sort them or arrange them into designs of their own. These simple, repetitive tasks encourage concentration and attention to the present moment. The use of seeds links the activity to Moagem’s agricultural and industrial past, while its focus on time echoes Évora 2027’s Vagar theme.

Heritage and traditions across the Alentejo

A stay at Moagem also offers an opportunity to explore the historic sites and traditional crafts of Viana do Alentejo and the surrounding region. In Viana do Alentejo, visitors can explore the castle and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora d’Aires and learn about the town’s pottery tradition. In nearby Alcáçovas, traditional cowbell-making, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, is still practised. In the Vidigueira area, visitors can learn about the production of vinho de talha, wine traditionally made in large clay vessels.

Moagem – Industrial Lodge provides bicycles and can help guests plan local activities. Options in the surrounding area include walking routes, wine and olive oil tastings, and pottery workshops. With its industrial heritage, contemporary art, regional cooking and wellbeing facilities, Moagem – Industrial Lodge provides a base for visitors who want to extend their trip to Évora 2027 and see more of the Alentejo.

The press kit and photo gallery are available to download here.

Moagem – Industrial Lodge
Rua do Lagar Novo 3, 7090-258 Viana do Alentejo
T: +351 924 056 665
E: moagem@thezerohotels.com

About Mainside Investments

Mainside Investments is a Portuguese company specialising in the development and management of real estate and tourism projects with a distinct identity, characterized by a strong cultural, heritage and sustainability focus. With a portfolio that includes iconic projects such as Pensão Amor, LX Factory (Lisbon), Moagem (Viana do Alentejo), and the Zero Hotels group, Mainside prioritizes an approach centred on preserving heritage and fostering connections to the local area and communities.

Rui Oliveira Marques
Message in a Bottle
+351 910 014 790
rmarques@messageinabottle.pt