Medieval graves

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Matosinhos > Perafita > Facho

Location

The medieval Tombs are located in the town of Perafita, in the municipality of Matosinhos, belonging to the district of Porto. Specifically, this historical site is situated in the area known as Facho, a designation that in ancient times was associated with elevated points where signal fires were lit. The surrounding landscape of the site offers an experience of tranquility, inviting reflection on the history imbued within it.

A Glimpse into the Middle Ages

This collection of tombs transports the visitor to a remote period of history, the Middle Ages. Their presence in the Perafita landscape constitutes a valuable testimony to the funerary practices and social organization of the communities that inhabited this region over centuries. The discovery and preservation of such burial sites are crucial elements for understanding the cultural and demographic evolution of the northern territory, revealing customs and beliefs from a distant past.

Details of the Tombs

The tombs present here exhibit a constructive simplicity that was characteristic of medieval burials. Structures can be observed excavated directly into the bedrock or outlined using simple stone slabs, forming burial cists. Their typology varies, but many of them feature a slightly anthropomorphic shape, adapting to the contour of the human body, which makes them particularly interesting. Careful observation of these structures offers a glimpse into the funerary architecture of the era and how the community of that time dealt with death and the burial rite.

The Archaeological Legacy

More than mere stone structures, the medieval Tombs of Perafita represent a tangible fragment of local and national history. They constitute an invitation to contemplate life and death in the Middle Ages, and their existence underscores the richness of the archaeological heritage of the municipality of Matosinhos. The preservation of this site ensures that this important cultural and patrimonial legacy remains accessible for study and appreciation by future generations, consolidating the memory of a bygone era.

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