Vale d'El Rei Megalithic Enclosure

Category: Archaeology > Megalithic

District: Évora > Mora > Pavia

Location

The Vale d'El Rei Megalithic Complex is located in the town of Pavia, in the municipality of Mora, right in the heart of Alentejo. Its setting in a rural and tranquil environment allows visitors privileged observation of the vast surrounding landscape, characterized by the natural simplicity of the region. The country surroundings provide a serene backdrop for discovering this ancient vestige.

Testimony of a Distant Era

The Vale d'El Rei Megalithic Complex stands as a unique testimony of Prehistory in Portugal, revealing the deep roots of the communities that inhabited this region millennia ago. Also historically known as the Cromeleque do Monte das Figueiras, this site was discovered in the 1950s and, decades later, was rediscovered by archaeological teams. This allowed for a deeper understanding of these ancient structures and the civilizations that erected them.

Ancestral Architecture

The structure of the Vale d'El Rei Megalithic Complex reveals a distinctive, almost perfect "horseshoe" shape. This arrangement, notably open to the east, is not random; on the contrary, it points to the profound importance of astronomical orientations for the megalithic communities that inhabited Alentejo. This architectural peculiarity suggests an intrinsic link with the movement of the sun and, undoubtedly, with rituals associated with natural and cosmic cycles, denoting the complexity of the thought of these ancient peoples.

Preservation of Heritage

Despite having undergone significant alterations over time, largely resulting from its agricultural use, the Vale d'El Rei Megalithic Complex was the subject of careful intervention in 2002. This work aimed at the recovery of the monument and the collection of crucial scientific data for understanding its history and functionality. Classified as an Immovable Property of Public Interest, this site, dating back to the Neo-Chalcolithic period, remains a relevant place for study and visitation, providing direct contact with archaeology and millennial cultural heritage.

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