Alcazaba and Islamic House - Mértola Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museums

District: Beja > Mértola > Mértola > Barrio Islámico

Location

Situated in the historic village of Mértola, this museum nucleus is nestled on the northern slope of the castle, in an area known as the Islamic Quarter. Its strategic position offers a unique perspective on the urban evolution of the locality, revealing the deep layers of history that have shaped the village over the centuries.

Traces of a Profound History

The site where the Alcáçova and Islamic House now stand holds testimonies from multiple eras. In the Roman era, designated Myrtilis, this area possibly housed the city's forum, a central public space, built on an ingenious artificial platform supported by a wall and an underground gallery, the cryptoporticus. Later, in Late Antiquity, between the 5th and 8th centuries, opulent religious buildings, richly decorated with mosaics, were erected over this same structure.

With the advent of the Islamic period, in the 12th and 13th centuries, this entire area transformed into a vibrant residential quarter. However, after the Christian reconquest in 1238, the quarter was completely dismantled, and the space reconfigured to serve as a cemetery. This prolonged use as a necropolis proved crucial for the preservation of the vestiges of previous human occupations, as it prevented new constructions that could destroy the underlying historical layers.

A Hub of Archaeological Discoveries

Thanks to its unique history of preservation, this site has become one of the most important for archaeological research in Mértola. The absence of significant constructions over the ruins, due to its function as a cemetery, allowed the layers of Roman occupation, Late Antiquity, and Islamic presence to remain remarkably intact. The discoveries made here, including the remains of the Islamic House, offer a fascinating window into the daily life, architecture, and culture of the various civilizations that inhabited Mértola over time, and are carefully presented to visitors.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt