Calçadinha de São Brás de Alportel

Via - Roman Period, Middle Ages, Modern Age e Contemporary Period (7298)
The Calçadinha de São Brás de Alportel is a stone pavement composed by two preserved sections (section A and B), with a total extension of 1480m. It would be part of the southern Lusitania Roman road network (Antonino itinerary) that served as a secondary link between the Roman cities of Ossonoba (Faro) and Pax Julia (Beja), crossing various villae such as Milreu (CNS 9) or Joio Valley (CNS 14431). Over time, this road continued to be used, showing signs of several refurbishments that altered the constructive elements and characteristics of its pavement. Section A of the stone pavement is about 100 m long, with geometric slabs composed of small and medium-sized cobbles and section B of stone pavement is about 500m long, with slabs consisting of medium and large cobbles, following the constructive methodology of Roman roads. Medieval, Modern and 19th century restorations are recorded in some areas. The archaeological site of São Brás / Hortas e Moinhos (CNS 14437) was identified about 200 m west, whose chronology of usage (1st to 4th / 5th century AD) and its proximity to the pavement led to the theory that it might have served as a road station, type mutatio (changing station), to support travellers.

Overview

The archaeological site has an Interpretive and Visitors Center on site.

Visit conditions

Free entrance associated with a museological structure

Timetables

From Tuesday to Saturday 9.30 to 13.00 14.00 to 17.30

Documents

    How to get there? Best practices

    Best practices

    Good practices when visiting archaeological sites

    To visit an archaeological site is to connect with our origins, to understand our path and evolution as a species integrated in the environment, and to respect and safeguard our heritage so that future generations can also visit and enjoy it.

    Walking the paths and enjoying the structures and archaeological pieces that survived over time, fosters the understanding of what is different, but also of what is common among different populations: basically, what identifies us as Homo Sapiens.

    More than just vestiges and ruins of the past, archaeological sites showcase our capacity for creative thought, adaptation, interconnection, comprehension and resilience. Without these traits we would not have been successful as cultural beings participating in an ongoing evolutionary process. These sites also allow to consider choices made in the past thus contributing for decisions in the present to be made with greater awareness and knowledge.

    Archaeological sites are unique and irreplaceable. These sites are fragile resources vulnerable to changes driven by human development. The information they keep, if destroyed, can never be recovered again.

    As such, the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (DGPC) invites all visitors to enjoy the beauty and authenticity of these sites, while helping to preserve them for future generations by adopting the following set of good practices:

    • Respect all signs; 
    • Do not try to access fenced areas; 
    • Do not climb, sit or walk on archaeological structures and remains; 
    • Respect areas where archaeological excavations are being carried out, not disturbing them; 
    • Do not collect materials or sediments;
    • Do not write or make graffiti on archaeological structures; 
    • Put the garbage in appropriate containers. If none exist, take the garbage with you until you find a suitable container; 
    • Leave the archaeological site as you found it; 
    • Do not drive bicycles or motor vehicles over archaeological sites; 
    • Respect and protect the plants and animals that live in the areas surrounding archaeological sites;
    • Report signs of vandalism or destruction to DGPC or Regional Directorates of Culture (DRC);
    • Share the visiting experience and the archaeological sites, as a way of raising awareness to their preservation and making them better known;
    • Do not buy archaeological materials and report to public security authorities, DGPC or DRC, if you suspect that archaeological materials may be for sale.

    Further information:

    AIA / ATTA (2013) – Guide to best practices for archaeological tourism. 

    Raposo, J. (2016) – Código de conduta para uma visita responsável a sítios arqueológicos. In Sítios arqueológicos portugueses revisitados: 500 arqueossítios ou conjuntos em condições de fruição pública responsável. Al-madan, 2ª série, p. 20 – 77. 

    DGPC contacts

    Phone: +351213614200 | Email: informacaoarqueologica@dgpc.pt

     


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