ROMAN RUINS | RUÍNAS ROMANAS
Herdade dos Chãos Salgados /Santiago de Cacém
10 minutes from Reserva Alecrim
One of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Portugal. The site, isolated, in the middle of green hills, corresponds to a Roman town dating back to the 1st century. In the 4th century it went into decline and in the 5th century abandoned. It was lost to history but it is very likely that its stones were used to create the Moorish castle of Santiago de Cacém. It was found again in the 19th century, including the Roman coins that are today on display in the municipal museum.
The ruins are very extensive. At the highest point, a partial Temple of Jupiter overlooks the forum. One of the houses retains some of the wall paintings from the 2nd century. A paved street descends to the bath complex whose central heating system is still intact. Next to it stands the 1st century Roman bridge. The origin of the town is unknown, but nearby, in Cercal and Grândola, there were iron mines and in Roman times the sea penetrated until very close to Miróbriga...
Forget the present for a moment and dive into a past full of history and imagination.
Location: Herdade dos Chãos Salgados /Santiago de Cacém
- To book this experience, please ask at the reception.
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