Sidewalk/Pavement of São Brás de Alportel

Category: Civil Architecture > Street

District: Faro > São Brás de Alportel > São Brás de Alportel > Calçada

Historical Origin

Calçadinha dates back to Roman times, being a route that connected the city of Ossonoba (Faro) to other important locations in the region. This road was part of Antonine Itinerary XXI, one of the main Roman routes in the south of the ancient province of Lusitania.

Structure and Conservation

Calçadinha was built to facilitate transit on uneven and sloping terrain, and many of its segments are still visible today. There are two sections in good condition, Section A (100 meters) and Section B (550 meters), where tourists can see the original Roman pavement and the renovation work carried out in the 19th century.

Characteristics of the Route

The paving of Calçadinha is made with stones of various sizes, arranged in a geometric pattern. In Section A, a pattern with squares and triangles stands out, typical of Roman construction, while Section B features larger stones, with a structure similar to that of Roman pavements.

Archaeological Discoveries

Near Calçadinha, archaeological remains of a Roman road station (mutatio) were found, which served for the rest and resupply of travelers and horses.

The Walk

Calçadinha is an excellent point of interest for those who want to explore local history. The 1,480-meter route crosses a valley south of the village of São Brás de Alportel. You can start the walk next to the Municipal Library and follow along the discovered sections of the ancient route, a true testament to centuries of history.

Useful Information

For more details about the route and the history of Calçadinha, you can visit the Calçadinha Explanatory Centre, located at Rua do Matadouro, nº 2. The centre is available to provide information and guide tourists during their visit.

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