Category: Civil Architecture > Marker
District: Beja > Almodôvar > Morgadinho
Kilometer 666 of National Road 2 is located in the heart of Baixo Alentejo, in the quiet village of Morgadinho, which belongs to the municipality of Almodôvar and the district of Beja. This point on the road is set in a predominantly rural and serene landscape, characteristic of the vast Alentejo plain.
The geographical surroundings are marked by a wide horizon, where fields dotted with cork oaks and olive trees stretch out, under a sky that often offers unobstructed views. The surrounding atmosphere is one of profound calm, typical of the less densely populated areas of southern Portugal, providing an immersive experience in the tranquility of Alentejo.
Kilometer 666 on National Road 2 stands out as a peculiar point of reference along this mythical route. Although it does not translate into a large structure or monument, its numerical designation gives it a uniqueness that attracts the attention of those traveling along the EN2, especially due to the inherent curiosity of the number itself.
More than a simple distance marker, this kilometer represents a symbolic landmark in the journey from north to south of the country, inviting reflection on the vastness of the road already traveled and the path that still remains. It is a point that many travelers note, for its specificity and the curiosity that the number evokes.
Kilometer 666 is intrinsic to the very identity of National Road 2, one of Portugal's longest and most emblematic roads. Recognized as a route that crosses the country from Chaves to Faro, the EN2 is an authentic connecting axis, revealing the landscape and cultural diversity of the regions it traverses.
Traveling the EN2 is to embark on a journey through Portuguese history and geography, and every kilometer, including 666, is an integral part of that narrative. This particular point is located in the Alentejo section of the road, where the pace slows and the landscape acquires unique shades and textures of southern Portugal.
The landscape surrounding kilometer 666 is profoundly marked by the simple yet robust beauty of Baixo Alentejo. Here, gentle undulations of the terrain, vast estates, and the constant presence of cork oak forests (montados de sobro), whose wood is one of the region's riches, predominate.
It is a setting where sunlight has a particular intensity, highlighting the warm colors of the earth and the Mediterranean vegetation. This landscape offers a clear contrast with the regions further north crossed by the EN2, providing the traveler with a genuine experience of the natural environment and rural Alentejo culture.
For those venturing along National Road 2, kilometer 666 is not just a geographical coordinate, but a memorable reference point. Its existence underlines the linearity of the road and the concept of a continuous journey across the territory.
It is a place that invites observation of the surrounding landscape and contemplation of the route. Despite its apparent simplicity as a mere marker, kilometer 666 stands out in the memory of many as one of the curiosities to find along the grand adventure that is traveling National Road 2.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.488386781310574, -8.040869731576674
Coordinates DMS: 37°29'18.2"N 08°02'27.1"W