Category: Archaeology > Necropolis
District: Faro > Vila Real de Santo António > Vila Nova de Cacela > Cacela Velha
The Islamic Quarter and Christian Necropolis are located in the picturesque village of Cacela Velha, which belongs to the parish of Vila Nova de Cacela, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, Faro district. This historic settlement rises on a promontory, offering serene views over the Ria Formosa and the Atlantic Ocean. The archaeological site is integrated into the fabric of a quiet and picturesque village, where the presence of the past is constant and the natural surroundings invite contemplation.
This archaeological site is a fascinating testament to the overlay of different eras and cultures in the Algarve. The Islamic Quarter dates back to the period of Muslim rule, when Cacela, then known as Qastallat Daraj, was an important port and urban center in the region of al-Andalus. The vestiges of this quarter offer a unique perspective on the spatial organization and daily life of the communities that inhabited here for centuries.
Adjacent to or superimposed upon this quarter is the Christian necropolis, which evokes the post-Reconquista era, marking the transition and the new social and religious order that was established. The coexistence of these two elements (an Islamic residential area and a Christian cemetery) illustrates the complexity of local history, revealing how different cultures succeeded one another, sometimes building upon the foundations of what preceded them.
The excavations carried out at this site reveal the outlines of what was once a vibrant urban cluster. It is possible to discern the foundations of ancient houses, the organization of streets, and sometimes, vestiges of infrastructure that served the daily lives of its inhabitants. The Islamic quarter offers a window into domestic architecture and medieval ways of life in southern Portugal.
The Christian necropolis, in turn, is composed of burials that vary in type and form, many of them simple inhumations directly in the ground. These burial sites are crucial for understanding the funerary practices and demographics of the Christian population that settled in the village after its conquest. Together, the quarter and the necropolis tell a silent story of life, death, and the profound social and cultural transformations that shaped Cacela Velha over the centuries.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.15736449437581,-7.544892735696763
Coordinates DMS: 37°09'26.5"N 07°32'41.6"W
Weather Vila Nova de Cacela
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Nova de Cacela
