Historic Ensemble of Póvoa do Mileu

Category: Archaeology > Roman Villa

District: Guarda > Guarda > Guarda > Póvoa do Mileu

Location

The Historical Ensemble of Póvoa do Mileu is located in the city of Guarda, within the urban area of Póvoa do Mileu. The site is situated on a small natural platform, offering an unobstructed view over the Diz River, providing a tranquil environment with a certain elevation in relation to its surroundings.

An Unexpected Discovery

The modern history of the Historical Ensemble of Póvoa do Mileu began in 1951, accidentally, during road construction works. The excavations revealed important remains of an ancient Roman presence, a discovery that surprised experts. This unexpected find initiated a series of archaeological investigations that, over the decades, allowed for the unveiling of a significant part of the site's past, particularly through the work of Adriano Vasco Rodrigues, who identified the structures as part of a Roman thermal complex.

Roman Remains

The Roman ruins of Póvoa do Mileu are a remarkable testament to Roman civilization in the region. Excavations have uncovered parts of a vast thermal complex, a central element in a Roman villa of considerable size. In addition to the bathing areas, other buildings were identified, including a garden space with a small tank and a colonnade. The importance of the site is underscored by the discovery of an impressive torso of a monumental marble statue, found under the chapel's floor. This fragment, depicting a figure in armor and a mantle, suggests the existence of a large-scale sculpture, demonstrating the cultural and symbolic relevance of the site in Roman times.

The Medieval Chapel

Adjacent to the Roman remains stands the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Mileu, one of the oldest religious monuments in the region, dating back to the Middle Ages. This chapel is a simple example of Romanesque style, with a simple architecture composed of a chancel and a single nave. Despite its modesty, the chapel features details worth noting, such as the capitals of the triumphal arch columns, decorated with vegetal motifs, birds, human figures, and even demons. On the exterior, the corbels supporting the side cornice also display various figures, enriching the ensemble. Built in granite blocks, the chapel exhibits a robust structure and a stone masonry characteristic of medieval rural religious architecture.

Heritage Value

The Historical Ensemble of Póvoa do Mileu is recognized for its exceptional value, with the Romanesque Chapel and the Archaeological Station classified as elements of Public Interest. This official recognition attests to the site's importance in understanding the historical and cultural evolution of the region, from the Roman period to the Middle Ages. The spacious atrium that unites the various structures has, over the centuries, been a meeting point for pilgrims and devotees, adding a symbolic dimension of continuity and faith to its already rich historical legacy.

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