Also known as: Povoado Calcolítico (“Chalcolithic settlement”) or Povoado fortificado (“fortified settlement”) of Vila Nova de São Pedro Stand on the hilltop and look around the surrounding area. Across the river valley, you can see surrounding hilltops and, off in the distance, mountain ranges. It’s a secure location, and it …
In Portuguese: Museu de Vila do Bispo, also known as: Celeiro da História (“The Granary of History”) Come into this restored granary, and walk through the history of the region. From dinosaurs to the modern day, a carefully and artistically designed space guides you through the huge spaces of the …
Broken stones lie scattered in the fields above Sagres and the Cabo de São Vicente. If you look closely at them, you’ll see that they are shaped into smooth obelisks. Were these territorial markers in ancient times? Did prehistoric people use them for ritual purposes? We don’t really know. Today, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Also known as: Anta da Casa dos Mouros In the sunshine, the light glints off the river below. Birds and insects fill the air with sound, competing with the hum of traffic on the bridge across the river. A riot of wildflowers splashes the green vegetation with yellows, pinks, and …
Walk through the sunny forests on the hills above the Tejo River. Enjoy the birdsong and wildflowers. As you round a bend on the trail, marvel at the enormous stone slabs standing over 2m tall. They have been standing there for 5,000 years. This anta (“dolmen” – megalithic chambered tomb) …
Also known as: Povoada de Chibanes Walk along the ridge of the Serra de Louro, and enjoy the tremendous view. To the east stands the castle of Palmela on a high hill. To the north, you can see to the Tejo River mouth and the capital city of Lisbon. To …
Also known as: Grutas Artificiais do Casal do Pardo, Covas da Moura At the edge of the town of Quinta do Anjo, a rock outcrop looks out over fields festooned with wildflowers. Walk along the outcrop and look into the holes. They lead into large chambers, caves in the rock. …
