Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Braga > Terras de Bouro > Aldeia > Chorense e Monte
Milestone Mile XVI is strategically positioned in the village of Aldeia, which is part of the civil parish of Chorense e Monte, in the municipality of Terras de Bouro, Braga district. This location is set within a natural setting of great beauty, characterized by lush green landscapes and the valleys that define the region, close to the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Its remote and serene location offers an environment conducive to contemplating the heritage and the natural surroundings.
Situated in an area of steep terrain rich in historical remains, the milestone benefits from a harmonious integration into the territory, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a distant past, far from urban hustle and bustle. It is a point that invites reflection on the ancient routes that once crossed these mountainous regions.
Milestone Mile XVI is a tangible remnant of Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula, a fundamental piece of the engineering and administration of the Roman Empire. These milestones were cylindrical or rectangular stone columns, erected along Roman roads, with the primary function of marking distances in Roman miles from an origin point. The "Milha XVI" (Mile XVI) indicates that this milestone was located sixteen miles from the city of Braga (the ancient Bracara Augusta), or from another important reference point in the road network.
These pillars served not only as distance indicators but also as symbols of Roman power and organization, often containing inscriptions dedicated to the emperors who ordered the construction or restoration of the roads, or who marked their passage and glory. Although the detail of the specific inscriptions on this milestone may vary, its presence attests to the complexity and extent of Roman communication infrastructures.
From a historical point of view, Milestone Mile XVI is a direct link to the Roman road network that crossed Lusitania and Gallaecia, facilitating trade, troop transport, and communication throughout the empire. Its existence underscores the strategic importance of these lands in the Roman context, serving as a crucial route for the movement of people and goods between different population centers of the time.
Architecturally, although simple in form, the milestone represents the durability and functionality of Roman construction. The robustness of the stone and its strategic placement have withstood centuries, making it a symbol of permanence and continuity. It is an element that, despite its modest size, communicates the grandeur of an empire that profoundly shaped Europe's landscape and culture.
This milestone is not just an isolated historical artifact; it is intrinsically linked to its natural and cultural surroundings. Its location in an area of recognized landscape value, in the heart of Terras de Bouro, invites visitors to imagine the landscape of two thousand years ago, when Roman legions and merchants passed through here. It is a unique opportunity to feel history underfoot, by walking trails that were once Roman roads.
As an integral part of the region's archaeological heritage, Milestone Mile XVI offers an experience of discovery and reflection. Its presence recalls the human intelligence and effort dedicated to building networks that, even today, echo in territorial organization and collective memory, providing a bridge between the distant past and the present.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.6938125,-8.3066875
Coordinates DMS: 41°41'37.7"N 08°18'24.1"W
Weather Aldeia
On-duty Pharmacy Aldeia
