Category: Archaeology > Archaeometallurgical Outcrop
District: Portalegre > Monforte > Santo Aleixo
Located in the parish of Santo Aleixo, in the municipality of Monforte, Penedo do Ferro is situated within a typical Alentejo landscape. This area, characterized by its rurality and tranquility, offers a natural environment where the view stretches across open fields and cork oak trees. Its position gently rises above the surroundings, providing a serene perspective of the region.
Penedo do Ferro is a site with a history of human occupation spanning thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that this point was a significant site for communities since the Neolithic period. Subsequently, it continued to be inhabited during the Iron Age and the Roman period, witnessing different phases of settlement and use over time. This continuity of occupation reveals the strategic and symbolic importance of the site for the various cultures that passed through it.
One of the most notable aspects of Penedo do Ferro is the presence of a significant collection of open-air rock art. The engravings, found in small natural shelters and on isolated rocks in the area, transform this space into a true prehistoric sanctuary. The marks left by our ancestors offer a direct insight into the beliefs and artistic expressions of very ancient communities, making the visit an experience of deep contact with a unique cultural heritage.
Coordinates DD: 38.944888, -7.38956335
Coordinates DMS: 38°56'41.6"N 07°23'22.4"W
Weather Santo Aleixo
On-duty Pharmacy Santo Aleixo
