Megaliths and Roman Remains

The Alentejo region has many Megalithic sites dating from 300BC. Within 10km of the site there are in excess of 30 of them. One of the best examples of these massive stone structures can be found at the Coureleiros Megalithic Park near Castelo de Vide and the village of Póvoa e Meadas. There are four main megaliths in the park some of which are extremely well preserved.

Close by the megalithic park near Póvoa e Meadas is the Menhir de Meada which is reputed as being the tallest single standing stone in the Iberian peninsular. It stands at over 7 metres tall.
The Romans successfully administered the entire Iberian peninsular from Portugal after arriving here in 210BC, and remained for the next 600 years until the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Close by Camping Asseiceira near Portagem you can visit the excavated remains of a Roman settlement, Ammaia, thought to have been an important town. There is a small museum on the site.

Further south the town of Évora; another UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains many roman remains. It was an important centre of the Roman occupation and contains the remains of a Roman temple from the 2nd or 3rd century, which is one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Portugal. In Évora you will also find the Chapel of Bones, so called because it is totally covered with human bones.

A couple of hours drive into Spain brings you to the historic town of Mérida which has some of the best preserved Roman monuments in Europe, including an aqueduct, a circus, a theatre and 14,000 seat amphitheatre.