Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Alcácer do Sal > Santa Maria do Castelo e Santiago
The Archaeological Crypt of the Castle is located in the historic area of Alcácer do Sal, precisely on the elevation where the Castle stands. Access is gained within the confines of the ancient fortress, a dominant landmark in the urban landscape. This exhibition space is found beneath what was once the Convent of Nossa Senhora de Aracaelli, whose foundations are integrated into the castle's structure. Its position atop the hill offers a unique perspective over the town and the Sado river, even though the crypt itself is a descent into the earth.
This singular site in Alcácer do Sal provides a remarkable journey through almost three millennia of history. Inside the crypt, it is possible to observe the vestiges of various civilizations that inhabited the hill where the castle now stands. From the Iron Age peoples, whose earliest marks date back to the 7th century BC, to the Roman, Islamic, and medieval Christian eras, the castle's subsoil preserves a profound narrative of the continuous human occupation of this territory.
The excavations carried out in the crypt revealed an impressive superimposition of structures, where findings spanning over 2600 years coexist in the same space. Among the important unearthed testimonies, medieval and Christian walls stand out, resting upon Roman walls which, in turn, overlay Iron Age vestiges. Alongside these temporal layers, elements such as a Roman street, with a drainage ditch, and imposing constructions suggesting the existence of an area of greater importance in the ancient settlement, were identified. A sanctuary, with origins in the Iron Age and later adapted by the Romans, presents a rare architectural combination of particular interest.
The discovery and valorisation of the Archaeological Crypt occurred in the 1990s, during a project for the recovery and adaptation of the Castle area. The archaeological interventions that began then brought to light these significant testimonies of millennial occupation. The intention behind the creation of this space was to ensure the preservation of a vast set of ruins and artefacts, making them accessible. Today, the crypt allows visitors a clear reading of the successive epochs that shaped this site, from the 5th century BC to the 17th century, in visible layers.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.3722043,-8.5142289
Coordinates DMS: 38°22'19.9"N 08°30'51.2"W
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