Casas Velhas
A Bronze Age graveyard with dozens of stone cists, near the town of Melides in the southern part of Setúbal district.
Outeiro do Circo
The long, low hill stretches across the Alentejo countryside. At the edge of the hill, along the northern treeline, you can hear the sound of shovels and picks. The archaeological team is digging, trying to learn the details of this place. The only evidence of what was once an enormous …
Pias Salineiras de Fornelos
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 …
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, …
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 …
Castro de Santo António
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 …
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 …
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 …
Archaeological Museum of São Miguel de Odrinhas (MASMO)
Name in Portuguese: Museu Arqueológico de São Miguel de Odrinhas (MASMO) A beautiful museum, built around the ruins of a Roman villa, which houses a vast collection of artefacts. There are inscriptions and relics from the Roman period, as well as relics from more recent eras and others dating back …
Anta do Vale da Laje
Also known as: Anta 1 do Vale da Laje, Anta do Casalinho 1 Walk around the grey stones, noting the structure both in the centre and surrounding it. This was an incredibly important construction for thousands of years, used by people for burials and possibly more. The current buildings around …