Casas Velhas
A Bronze Age graveyard with dozens of stone cists, near the town of Melides in the southern part of Setúbal district.
Leceia
Also known as: Povoado Pré-Histórico de Leceia, Povoado calcolítico de Leceia, Estação Eneolítica de Leceia, Castro de Leceia, Estação Arqueológica de Leceia Walking along the boardwalk, you can admire the views: wooded hills, with the town of Leceia, then on the other side a sharp drop down to the Barcarena …
Castro de Vila Nova de São Pedro
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 …
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 …
Tholos do Barro
Also known as: Monumento funerário eneolítico do Barro Stand beside the shrine of Nossa Senhora da Pena (“Our Lady of Pity” or “Sorrows” …or possibly “Our Lady of the Rock”) and admire the view all around the hill: the town of Torres Vedras, farmland and smaller villages, the valleys on …
Anta da Pedra dos Mouros
Also known as: Anta do Senhor da Serra This dolmen is located on private property. I requested permission from the property owner to visit the anta, but never heard back. Therefore I can’t present a personal site visit. This anta is one of the three Antas de Belas, which were …
Anta da Estria
The cars and trucks go whizzing past. They used to be able to stop and refuel, allowing the people inside a chance to get out and stretch their legs. Now the motorway exit and nobody stops and gets out. The megalithic tomb is largely unvisited and only rarely seen as …
Anta do Monte Abraão
The rush of traffic on the nearby motorway is noticeable but not overwhelming. The buzz of the electricity wires overhead is a gentle background noise. Occasionally you can hear a distant shout of a person in the apartment buildings at the edge of the field. Mostly, you’re aware of the …
Tholos do Monge
Standing at the top of one of the highest peaks in the Sintra Mountains, you can see all around: Guincho Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, the Setúbal peninsula and the Arrabida Coast. Look down at your feet, and amidst the jumble of stones a circular structure stands out. This massive chamber …
Roman Villa of Freiria
This is a Roman site, but it does also have remnants of an Iron Age settlement. Most of the site is of Roman construction (1st century AD/CE), but there are remnants of earlier Iron Age buildings. Pottery from the Chalcolithic period was found on the site, indicating continued occupation from …