Roman Ruins of Santa Catarina

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Santa Catarina de Sítimos

Location:

The Roman Ruins of Santa Catarina are located in the serene village of Santa Catarina de Sítimos, within the municipality of Alcácer do Sal. Integrated into the very fabric of the settlement, they offer a unique perspective on ancient human occupation within an Alentejan rural setting.

The site provides a sense of discovery and tranquility, set amidst the region's typical landscape, stretching across fields and plains. Its position within the village allows for the observation of the continuous occupation of the territory over the centuries, from Roman times to the present-day community.

Testimony to a Distant Past

This archaeological site, discovered in 1977, began to be unveiled through excavation works that extended over several phases, from the 1980s to more recent projects. The investigation revealed the existence of a significant Roman villa, which played a central role in the life of the region.

The unearthed remains indicate a continuous human presence from the mid-1st century BC or early 1st century AD, extending until the 5th or 6th centuries. After this period, there was also an Islamic and, later, Christian occupation, which culminated in the village we know today, underscoring the site's long history.

Spaces for Leisure and Production

Among the most notable structures discovered is a large natatio, an imposing monumental swimming pool with an access staircase. This pool was likely an integral part of a thermal complex, a space dedicated to leisure and well-being, common in Roman villas, where compartments with opus signinum floors, a type of waterproof surfacing widely used in wet areas, were identified.

The excavations also revealed indications of an underground heating system, the hypocaust, which would have supplied these baths. Additionally, an area dedicated to agricultural production was identified, with remains of tanks that formed a lagar (oil/wine press) for olive oil or wine, and the discovery of a dolium in situ, a large storage jar for products. These elements illustrate the diversity of economic activities and the daily life of the Roman villa.

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