Rock tombs.

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Trancoso > Aldeia Velha

Location:

The rock-cut tombs are located in the small and tranquil village of Aldeia Velha, which belongs to the municipality of Trancoso. This historic site is set in an environment that invites calm and observation, with the tombs themselves integrated into the village's rocky landscape, which gives them a unique character and an intrinsic connection to the surrounding territory. It is a place where history merges with local nature, inviting an experience of tranquility and discovery.

Testimony of Ancient Times:

This set of rock-cut tombs represents one of the most notable indications of human presence in Trancoso during a vast period, spanning approximately between the 8th and 12th centuries. Functioning as an ancestral cemetery, it is a true stone book that tells us about the primitive occupation of these lands, revealing how communities established themselves and organized their lives and funeral rites many centuries ago.

Rock-cut Funerary Architecture:

At the site, it is possible to observe around thirty-two tombs, all of them excavated directly into the bedrock. Most of these funerary pits exhibit a shape vaguely resembling the human silhouette, known as anthropomorphic. They are oriented, for the most part, with the head end facing west, a common alignment that followed the Church's practices at the time. The arrangement of the tombs, sometimes aligned and in other cases superimposed, suggests prolonged use of the site over different generations, and one of the most notable finds is a rare example of the original monolithic lids that covered these tombs, providing a more complete idea of their initial structure.

A Recognized Heritage:

Given their historical and archaeological importance, this set of tombs was officially classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1978. This recognition underscores their invaluable worth for understanding the history and culture of the Trancoso region, inviting visitors to reflect on the deep roots and heritage left by the populations who lived here and shaped the landscape over the centuries.

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