Category: Archaeology > Cromlech
District: Évora > Évora > Herdade da Abaneja
Situated in the serene Herdade da Abaneja, in the municipality of Évora, this cromlech is located in an area that invites reflection on the antiquity of the territory. The site is characterized by its natural surroundings, typical of Alentejo, with vast open landscapes and the striking presence of cork oaks and holm oaks that dot the horizon, giving it a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Its position on the terrain allows a wide perspective over the surroundings, underlining the integration of these ancestral structures into the Alentejo landscape.
The Cromlech of Portela de Mogos, also known as Portela de Modos, represents a unique testimony to human presence in Alentejo during the Neolithic period. Dating back millennia before our era, these stones erected by our prehistoric ancestors constitute a monumental legacy of communities that inhabited here. These structures were, possibly, gathering places, sites for observing celestial cycles, and for celebrating rituals, marking the agricultural and spiritual calendar of their builders. Their existence reveals a profound connection between man and the cosmos, manifested through stone architecture.
This cromlech is composed of a set of menhirs, vertical stones, arranged in a layout that evokes a circular or ovoid shape. Each of these stones, mostly granite, was selected, transported with great effort, and then erected, without the use of mortar or complex technologies. The apparent simplicity of its construction contrasts with the grandeur and visual impact of the work, which has endured for thousands of years. The arrangement of the menhirs on the ground suggests precise intentionality, although their details continue to be a subject of study and interpretation.
A visit to the Cromlech of Portela de Mogos allows for a direct dialogue with the deep past of the Évora region. The quietude of the place and the vastness of the surrounding landscape invite an immersive experience, where it is possible to feel the dimension of time and the persistence of these human works. The stones, now silent, tell the story of a time when the relationship with nature and the stars guided the life of communities, conferring upon the space a symbolism that transcends eras.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromeleque_da_Portela_de_Mogos
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.62658274775007,-8.02577673983666
Coordinates DMS: 38°37'35.7"N 08°01'32.8"W
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