Category: Civil Architecture > Monument
District: Santarém > Abrantes > Carvalhal
The Geographic Center of Portugal is serenely located in Carvalhal, a welcoming locality within the municipality of Abrantes, integrated into the district of Santarém. This unique point is situated in a landscape that invites tranquility, characterizing the essence of Portugal's interior. The surroundings offer a harmonious transition between the rural environment and a semi-urban context, providing a calm setting for visitors.
Its position, slightly away from the busiest routes, bestows upon this place an atmosphere of pause and introspection, ideal for contemplating the surrounding geography and for a deeper connection with the Portuguese territory.
This space conceptually and tangibly marks what is recognized as the heart of Continental Portugal. The designation of Geographic Center stems from the idea of representing the point of equilibrium of the territory, as if its landmass were perfectly balanced at this spot.
The site is marked by a structure intended for the interpretation of this important landmark. This design allows visitors to reflect on the country's dimension and shape, offering a singular perspective on its geographical configuration. Here, the symbolism of the center of gravity of Portugal's continental portion is absorbed, abstractly connecting its extremities.
A visit to the Geographic Center of Portugal provides interested individuals with an opportunity for direct connection with the country's territorial identity. It is a place that symbolizes Portugal's unity and centrality, encouraging meditation on its formation and its geographical extent over the centuries.
The importance of this point lies in the intrinsic meaning of being in the place that, in some way, unifies the entire continental territory. For those who focus on national geography and symbolism, this location is a point of interest that facilitates a deeper and more personal understanding of Portugal's map.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6219981,-8.1675502
Coordinates DMS: 39°37'19.2"N 08°10'3.2"W