Lexim Rock

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Lexim

Location

The Penedo do Lexim stands as a natural landmark in the locality of Lexim, belonging to the municipality of Mafra. This imposing elevation, situated next to the Ribeira de Cheleiros, stands out in the rural landscape, dotted with agricultural fields and oak groves. Its elevated position allows for an unobstructed view of the surroundings, making it a visible reference point from various perspectives in the region.

In a predominantly rural and isolated environment, the Penedo do Lexim offers a tranquil setting. It is a place where human presence blends with the grandeur of nature, inviting observation and enjoyment of the country landscape that surrounds it.

A Singular Geological Formation

The grandeur of the Penedo do Lexim has a fascinating origin: it is, in essence, an ancient volcanic chimney, a remnant of the vast Lisbon Volcanic Complex. This geological structure was formed approximately 72 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, when basaltic magma cooled rapidly, giving rise to columns of perfectly polygonal rock, a phenomenon known as columnar jointing.

The monumental shapes of its rocks, which resemble a castle of stones, are not only a natural spectacle but also a valuable testament to the volcanic activity that shaped this part of Portuguese territory. The Penedo do Lexim is recognized for its geological relevance at a national level.

Millennia of Human Occupation

The importance of the Penedo do Lexim extends far beyond its geology, revealing a deep connection to the region's human history. This site was a continuous residential space for millennia, hosting various communities from the Neolithic period, around 4000 BC, up to the Roman Era.

The vestiges left by these ancient shepherds and farmers are significant and include everyday artifacts, such as pottery fragments, chipped and polished stone tools, worked bone objects, and metal pieces. The natural configuration of the rock, with its rocky formations and small caves, offered ideal shelter and a defense system, which was later reinforced with the construction of walls. These defensive structures, which emerged in the third millennium BC, represent some of the earliest examples of military architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. The archaeological material collected at the site can be observed in museum collections.

A Classified Heritage

The fusion of the remarkable geological heritage, archaeological richness, and natural value of the Penedo do Lexim led to its classification as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest) in 1975. This distinction reflects the singularity of the rock as a place where the history of the Earth and the history of humanity intertwine in a remarkable way.

A visit to the Penedo do Lexim provides an opportunity to reflect on the passage of time, from the forces that shaped the landscape in remote eras to the lives of the communities that settled and thrived here over thousands of years.

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