Category: Archaeology > Dolmen
District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > São Geraldo
Located in the heart of Alentejo, this imposing megalithic structure is found in the parish of São Geraldo, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, district of Évora. The monument is set in a serene rural landscape, characteristic of the Alentejo plains, surrounded by fields and native vegetation. Its location invites a tranquil experience, where the grandeur of nature merges with the timeless mark of prehistoric human presence.
The surrounding environment offers an unobstructed view over the Alentejo landscape, allowing visitors to feel the vastness and quietness of the region. This natural setting is an integral part of the experience of contemplating this ancient vestige, offering a backdrop for reflection on the passage of time.
The Anta Grande da Comenda da Igreja is a remarkable example of a prehistoric burial chamber, erected thousands of years ago by the Neolithic communities that inhabited this region. This monumental construction is characterized by the use of large stone pillars, set vertically into the ground, forming a central polygonal chamber that served as a collective burial site.
The chamber, about 6 meters in diameter, demonstrates the impressive organizational and engineering capabilities of these ancient societies, which were able to move and position these colossal stones without the aid of modern technology. Although its original covering of earth and stones (the tumulus) may be partially eroded, the fundamental structure of the chamber and, in some cases, the access corridor, remains visible and intact.
This monument is a testament to the megalithic heritage of Alentejo, offering a window into the beliefs, rituals, and social organization of the populations that lived in this territory during the Neolithic period. It was a place of great importance for the communities of the time, serving not only as a necropolis but also, possibly, as a territorial landmark and a symbol of social and religious affirmation.
A visit to this site invites reflection on our ancestors' deep connection to the land and the cycle of life and death. It allows us to understand how these early human communities marked the landscape with stone structures that have withstood the passage of time, carrying with them the stories and secrets of distant civilizations.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anta_Grande_da_Comenda_da_Igreja
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.75800123627449,-8.20319732693775
Coordinates DMS: 38°45'28.8"N 08°12'11.5"W
Weather São Geraldo
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