Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
The Interactive Museum of Megalithism is situated in the heart of the town of Mora, in Alentejo. Its central location occupies the premises that belonged to the old railway station. This integration gives the space a distinct atmosphere, where the historical memory of the site merges with the new museum infrastructure.
Inaugurated in September 2016, the museum is the result of the rehabilitation of Mora's old train station, complemented by the construction of new buildings. The museum project, spanning 750 square meters, was designed to harmonize with the terrain, featuring an organization that unfolds into three major thematic axes representing the daily life of prehistoric populations: Life, Death, and Contemplation.
The station's original structure now houses spaces dedicated to recreational and educational activities, with interactive games, an internet area, and a library, offering a relaxed complement to the visit. The various buildings of the complex are interconnected by a covered corridor, whose metallic plates with small openings symbolize the geometry of schist plaques, an iconic element of megalithic archaeology.
This museum provides an engaging and interactive experience about megalithism. The visit begins with an immersive projection that recreates the daily life of a Neolithic community, inviting visitors on a journey through time. Along the route, interactive tables allow detailed exploration of the exhibited pieces, some more than six thousand years old, and understanding of archaeological excavation methods.
A life-size model of a prehistoric artisan, busy creating schist plaques, surprises those who walk through the rooms. Hundreds of artifacts, mostly provided by the National Museum of Archaeology, illustrate the life and practices of our ancestors, revealing the fascinating universe of megalithism in an accessible and captivating way.
The municipality of Mora is a territory deeply marked by the vast and rich presence of megalithism. Dolmens, menhirs, burial sites, and other prehistoric remains are elements that shape the local landscape identity, bearing witness to human occupation dating back to the dawn of humanity. Archaeological research, driven by pioneering works such as those by Vergílio Correia, early identified Mora as one of the most relevant megalithic regions in the European context.
Although Central Alentejo is a remarkably fertile region for megalithic monuments, with records of almost a thousand structures of different typologies and dimensions, Mora holds a special place in this context. Its importance stems from the singularity of some of the monuments and archaeological contexts found in the municipality, which make this heritage truly unique in the national landscape.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.9469366,-8.161084
Coordinates DMS: 38°56'49.0"N 08°09'39.9"W
Weather Mora
On-duty Pharmacy Mora
