Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Vila Nova de Foz Côa > Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Location:

The Côa Valley Archaeological Park stretches along the banks of the Côa River, a tributary of the Douro River, in northeastern Portugal. The main area is located in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa. This vast landscape is shaped by hills, vineyard terraces, and olive groves, with the river meandering through a deep valley. The town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa serves as a base for those wishing to visit this exceptionally important site.

An Open-Air Gallery

What makes the Côa Valley unique is the presence of rock art dating back thousands of years, exposed not in caves, but on the rocks that emerge along the banks of the river and its tributaries. It is like an immense art gallery carved directly into the stone, under the open sky. Natural light, at different times of the day and seasons, interacts with the engravings, revealing and hiding the motifs with a constant play of shadows and light.

Millennial Testimonies

The Côa engravings are among the most important testimonies of human creativity in prehistoric times, covering a vast period dating mainly back to the Upper Paleolithic, over 25,000 years ago. However, there are also records from more recent eras, such as the Neolithic, the Iron Age, and even the Modern Age. The motifs vary, including representations of animals such as horses and aurochs, human figures, and abstract signs, engraved with different techniques on the rock surface. This long artistic continuity in the same valley is exceptional.

The importance of this site was internationally recognized in 1998 when UNESCO classified it as a World Heritage site, highlighting its exceptional universal value as the largest open-air Upper Paleolithic rock art site.

Exploring the Engravings

To experience this heritage, the Archaeological Park organizes guided tours to specific clusters of engravings open to the public. These tours are the only way to access the archaeological sites and are led by specialized guides who help interpret the art and the landscape context. Among the visitable sites are Penascosa, Canada do Inferno, and Ribeira de Piscos, each offering a distinct experience and set of engravings. Transportation to the sites is provided by the Park's appropriate vehicles, departing from the visitor reception centers.

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