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 …
Also known as: Salinas de Fornelos English name: Salt pans of Fornelos Walking around a beach area that’s filled with boulders, cliffs, and more, it’s very easy to ignore some of the rocks. But do at least look more closely at any that seem out of the ordinary. Ignore these oddly-shaped stones and you’ll miss …
English name: Rock engravings of Fornelos, Part of a group: Gravuras Rupestres de Montador, Gravuras Rupestres de Carreço Walking along the rocks at the edge of the ocean, it’s important to pay attention to where you place your feet. But be sure to stop and look up and around. There, across a small bay, you …
Also known as: Cividade de Âncora, Cividade de Âncora-Afife Walking around the stones, your feet crunch the dry eucalyptus leaves. It’s just possible to make out the foundations of ancient houses, roads, doorways, and more. Beyond the stones that emerge from the soil and vegetation, there are hints and traces of others beyond. This enormous …
Also known as: Gravuras Rupestres da Matança, Gravuras Rupestres de Suvidade English name: Rock Engravings of Afife Along the wide trail, pilgrims walk determinedly along the Caminho de Santiago. Few pay attention to the stones beside the trail. These stones have lain here for millions of years, and for many thousands of years they held …
Underneath the 17th century chapel and its surrounding park lie the remains of a large fortified settlement from the time before the Romans or Christianity came to Portugal. The single rebuilt house at the entrance stands as a reminder that the modern use of the hilltop is only the latest evidence of people’s use of …
English name: Afife Archaeology Museum Tucked away beside the Afife Casino (not a gambling hall, but the town’s social centre), is a small but fascinating archaeological museum. There are artefacts from the Paleolithic up through the Roman period, and information about the rich ancient history of the town and the area. The museum is laid …
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 …
This ancient building holds even more ancient contents inside. It’s the archaeological museum of Viana do Castelo, with information about the prehistory of the area from the Stone Age to the Roman era. Viana do Castelo’s archaeological museum (Núcleo de Arqueologia) has a small but impressive exhibit telling the story of the area’s ancient past, …
Also known as: (Ruinas da) Cidade Velha de Santa Luzia, Povoada foritificado de Santa Luzia English name: Hillfort, or (Ruins of) the Old City, or Fortified settlement of Santa Luzia Walk around the hilltop, and admire the views off to the River Lima and the Atlantic Ocean. People admired the views, as well as the …