Roman Villa of Nossa Senhora da Tourega

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Évora > Évora > Nossa Senhora da Tourega > Tapada de Barrocal

Location:

The Roman Villa of Nossa Senhora da Tourega is located in the village of the same name, within the municipality of Évora, in the heart of Alentejo. Its placement reflects a strategic choice during the Roman period, once close to important routes connecting ancient Ebora (Évora) to Salacia (Alcácer do Sal) and Pax Julia (Beja). The site is situated within a rural Alentejo landscape, characteristic of the region, which invites reflection on life in antiquity.

An Ancient Rural Legacy:

Between the 1st and 4th centuries, this site functioned as a vast rural estate, a true center of agricultural exploitation of the era. It is possible to imagine the Roman Villa as a large Alentejo "farmstead" of yesteryear: a complex structure that not only housed a wealthy family and its workers but was also the engine of significant economic activity. Its owners, belonging to a seigniorial class, benefited from the fertility of the land, and for their comfort, the residence included private baths, a testament to the importance the Romans placed on well-being and personal hygiene.

The Remains of the Roman Baths:

Of the structure that once extended for approximately five hundred square meters, today the notable remains of the bath complex stand out. Here there were double baths, designed for the separate use of men and women, with different rooms for hot and cold baths. Currently, it is possible to observe three imposing rectangular tanks, built in mortar. The largest of them is particularly impressive, measuring approximately 24.5 meters in length and 4.6 meters in width, revealing the scale of the construction. Archaeological investigations at the site have revealed elaborate internal architecture, with evidence of at least three construction phases, underlining the sophistication and evolution of this space over time.

Classification and Importance:

Recognized for its archaeological and historical value, the Roman Villa of Nossa Senhora da Tourega has been classified as a Site of Public Interest since 2012. This classification highlights the relevance of the site in the panorama of Roman heritage in Portugal, making it a point of interest for those seeking to understand the Roman presence and social and economic organization in the territory we today know as Alentejo.

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