Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Santarém > Alcanena > Minde
Lapa da Ovelha is located in the parish of Minde, part of the municipality of Alcanena, in the district of Santarém. It is situated halfway up the imposing fault of the Costa de Minde, a striking area of the Estremenho Limestone Massif. Its elevated position, at approximately 430 meters of altitude, offers a wide perspective over the vast Minde Polje, a karst depression visible from this point.
From this unique location, in the heart of Costa de Minde, a vast and immersive landscape unfolds. The highlight is, undoubtedly, the view of the Minde Polje, a remarkable geological formation. The perspective allows visitors to appreciate the breadth and unique characteristics of this depression, shaped over millennia by natural karst phenomena.
Lapa da Ovelha is a natural indentation in the rock, developing horizontally. This cavity formed in the limestones of the Barranco do Zambujal formation, dating from the Middle Jurassic period. Its genesis is linked to the action of water that, in remote times, circulated underground in the phreatic zone, sculpting galleries and shafts. Tectonic movements, which influenced the lowering of the water level, transformed it into a fossilized cave. Inside, the cave extends for about 153 meters, with a vertical drop of approximately 31 meters, featuring a sinuous gallery that culminates in a shaft about 20 meters deep.
With a name that evokes its history, Lapa da Ovelha is possibly one of the oldest and best-known cavities in the region. Its entrance, although large, blends discreetly into the landscape. It likely served as a shelter for shepherds and their flocks in distant times, when pastoralism was a central activity for the local community, offering natural protection against the elements.
For those wishing to explore the interior of Lapa da Ovelha, it is important to know that the path to the entrance involves a walk of about 25 minutes along the escarpment. The terrain is uneven and may present some slopes, so caution is recommended. Access to the cave is easier from the south side, starting from the Costa de Minde viewpoint. For a more in-depth exploration of its galleries, it is advisable to use a caving helmet and a light source, allowing for better observation of the internal characteristics, such as the rounded sections and erosion marks, remnants of its geological formation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.5161568,-8.7053679
Coordinates DMS: 39°30'58.2"N 08°42'19.3"W
Weather Minde
On-duty Pharmacy Minde
