The most common type of megalithic structure in Portugal are funerary structures. These are typically tombs made of large stone slabs: these are called “dolmens” or portal tombs. In Portuguese, they are typically called antas but also dólmen or orca. Other types of funerary structures include large chambered tombs (including the famous Alcalar monuments), which uses stacked stones to make a circular chamber. This style of building is also called a “tholos” (plural “tholoi” or “tholoses”). I’ve included all large stone funerary structures into this category called “Dolmens.”
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Anta do Poço dos Mouros
Walking along the forest trails, the peace and quiet is almost palpable. There are stone outcrops all around, as well as large stones in the trail itself. So it’s not surprising to see a large hill of stones beside the trail …until you look closer and see that these stones were put there to create…
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Anta da Barrosa
Also known as: Dólmen da Barrosa, Lapa dos Mouros Surrounded by houses and the soft buzz of traffic, the city park is relatively quiet with some families taking advantage of the picnic tables shaded by large trees to enjoy a cool refreshment on a hot summer day. In the middle of a grassy lawn, the…
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Mamoas do Taco
Walk along the road through the industrial area of Taco, in the town of Albergaria-a-Velha, and if you keep your eyes peeled you may see something intriguing. Beside a bakery factory, two empty spaces contain low mounds each with a notice board beside them. These are funerary structures that people built here around six thousand…
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Alcalar
Also known as: Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar, Alcalar 7, Alcalar 9 It’s just about possible to see the sea from here, but this is not your typical Algarve beach spot. These hills, in the foothills the mountains of Monchique, hold a very special allure to entice people away from the beach. That allure was true…
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Antas da Ordem
Also known as: Núcleo Megalítico da Ordem, Antas do Monte da Ordem, Antas da Herdade da Ordem Walking through the pasture, keeping an eye on the herd of cows, you can feel the Alentejo sun beat down on your head. Duck underneath the irrigation mechanism. Follow the dirt track that leads towards the farmhouse. At…