Roman Villa of São Cucufate

Category: Archaeology > Villa

District: Beja > Vidigueira > Vila de Frades > Monte da Vinha

Location

The Roman Villa of São Cucufate is located on Monte da Vinha (Vineyard Hill), a tranquil place situated next to the village of Vila de Frades, in the municipality of Vidigueira, in the heart of Alentejo. The site rises on a gently elevated platform, giving it a privileged perspective over the vast Alentejo plain that stretches south, towards Beja. The surroundings are distinctly rural, characterized by extensive olive groves, which contribute to the serenity and beauty of the landscape.

Remarkable Architecture

The ruins of São Cucufate reveal a large and monumental Roman residential complex, unique in the national context. Unlike many other constructions of the period, this villa stands out for its verticality, featuring two distinct floors. The ground floor was dedicated to production activities and servant accommodation, while the upper floor, the pars urbana, served as the luxurious residence of the owners, benefiting from ample balconies that opened onto the landscape. This unusual design, which prioritized elevation and connection with the exterior, reflects the high status and wealth of its former inhabitants.

Complementing the residential area, there were private baths, essential for the family's well-being, and an ingenious water supply system, with aqueducts and large tanks that ensured the fluidity of daily life. The presence of garden vestiges on the main façade suggests an environment designed for leisure and contemplation, characteristic of an opulent life in antiquity.

The Agricultural Legacy and Wine

Beyond its role as a prestigious residence, the Roman Villa of São Cucufate was a dynamic center of agricultural production. The fertility of the Alentejo soils was exploited, with vineyards playing a central role in the property's economy. Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of a wine press and a pottery workshop, places where the necessary vessels for wine production and storage were manufactured.

The discovery of fragments of clay amphorae (talhas) and fossilized grape seeds confirms the ancient connection of this site to wine production. This winemaking tradition, particularly through the "vinho de talha" (amphora wine) method, fermented in large clay amphorae, is a Roman heritage that persists in the Vidigueira region to this day. A visit to São Cucufate offers an opportunity to understand the historical roots of this cultural practice.

Centuries of History and Transformation

The history of São Cucufate is not limited to the Roman period. After the empire's decline, the site experienced remarkable continuity of occupation and transformation. The original Roman temple was adapted to function as an early Christian basilica, marking the transition to the Christian era, as evidenced by the tombs found in the ruins. Later, the ancient Roman mansion housed two Christian monasteries at different times, one during the Islamic period and another after the Christian Reconquest.

These successive monastic occupations, although they altered the villa's original structure, were crucial for its preservation. Inside the last chapel installed in the villa, it is still possible to observe fragments of ancient murals with representations of religious figures and other motifs, a fascinating artistic record of the various eras that overlapped here.

Center for Archaeological Discovery

The Roman Villa of São Cucufate constitutes a valuable source of information for the study of Roman civilization in Portugal, helping to unravel aspects of its architecture, social organization, and economy. The complexity of the site, with visible different construction phases, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of Roman residential structures.

To enrich the visitor's experience, an interpretation center is available on-site, providing additional information about the villa's history and findings. A museological center in Vila de Frades displays part of the vast archaeological collection found during excavations, including ceramics, coins, tools, and jewelry. Among these pieces, a brick preserving the imprint of a child's foot stands out, a touching detail that connects us directly to the daily lives of those who lived in these spaces almost two millennia ago.

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