Pala da Moura

Also known as: Anta de Vilarinho da Castanheira

Picnic tables invite you to sit, rest, and refresh yourself. The pine trees sway and whisper softly in the breeze. Meanwhile, the ancient stone construction reminds you that people were here thousands of years ago, making their own special place. Look closely: what secrets might it hold?

The anta (or dolmen) has a polygonal chamber, with a corridor facing East. Its original 8 upright stones and capstone, as well as several corridor stones, are still in place. There is no trace remaining of the original mound.

One of the stones has traces of interior painting, but it is very difficult to make it out. Originally classified in 1910, it was part of a group but this is the only one that remains. The anta is well preserved and is located in a well maintained local park, with picnic tables.

The name, “Pala da Moura,” is the traditional name for the anta while “Anta de Vilarinho da Castanheira” locates it according to the nearest village. It is referenced in official listings as Pala da Moura and the local signs all refer to it that way. Pala can be translated as “visor” or “eyeshade,” but it in the region it is a term for a stone shelter, making this the “shelter of the Moura” referencing the ancient legends of Mouras Encantadas.

Location

The anta is in the Northern region, district of Bragança. It’s in the municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães, in the parish of Vilarinho da Castanheira. It’s just south of the main road (M623-1) heading West from Vilarinho da Castanheira towards the Douro river (Torre de Moncorvo). The turnoff is about 2.5km west of Vilarinho da Castanheira.

The anta is part of the heraldry of the parish of Vilarinho da Castanheira:

Access

The anta is easily accessible by dirt roads, about 1km off the main road. The anta is in a small park, with picnic tables and shady trees.

Signage

On the main road (N324 or M623-1) between Vilarinho da Castanheira and Cabeça de Mouro, there is a small sign directing you to the anta. There are further signs along the dirt road all the way to the anta.

Links

  • Entry (in English) in the Megalithic Portal
  • Article (in Portuguese) from the Park of the Tua Valley
  • Legend (in Portuguese) of Pala da Moura from CEAO
    • Article (in English) about Enchanted Mouras from Wikipedia
  • Walking trail (in Portuguese) from Walking Portugal (with a PDF of the trail)
    • Longer walking trail (in Portuguese) from the municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães (with PDF and KMZ file)
  • Information (in Portuguese) from the parish council of Vilarinha da Castanheira
  • Information (in Portuguese) from the municipality of Carrazeda de Ansiães
  • Description (in Portuguese) from Archaeologist’s Portal of Directorate-General of Cultural Heritage
  • Designation (in Portuguese) as a National Monument by the Directorate-General of Cultural Heritage

Nearby

The Anta da Zedes is only about 18km away, in the same municipality. To the south, the Côa Valley with its UNESCO World Heritage park of rock engravings is only about 30km away.

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