There is a huge amount of prehistoric art in Portugal, including carved or engraved rocks (Portuguese: gravuras rupestres) as well as paintings (pinturas rupestres). Sometimes these are in caves or inside megalithic structures, other times they are in the open air. In addition, there are smaller portable engraved or painted stones which are displayed in museums around the country. The most famous prehistoric art site is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Côa Valley, with open-air rock engravings dating back over 20 thousand years ago. The cave of Escoural has painted artwork that goes back to the Paleolithic period, some of the oldest in Europe. The famous painted dolmen of Antelas is the most impressive example of painting within a megalithic tomb.
Use the map in the sidebar to browse or search among the various prehistoric sites. (The “Filters” control in the top right corner allows you to select types of sites.) Highlighted map markers indicate sites that are described on this website. Below is a list of all the art sites on our website (so far!).
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Gravuras Rupestres de Fornelos
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…
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Gravuras Rupestres de Afife
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…
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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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Gruta do Escoural
Walk down the stairs, ducking your head beneath the stone ceiling. Wooden steps lead you down into the Earth. Electric lights have been installed to guide your way, but the silence and the still air remind you that you are in an ancient place. Duck down and follow the laser pointer of your guide. With…
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Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley
As the boats cruise up and down the Douro River, many passengers on board hardly notice the tributary river. As they sip their wines and note the vineyard estates along the banks, they might take a moment to pause and look past the disused train bridge and note the low, rectangular building on the hilltop…