Anta de São Fausto

Category: Archaeology > Dolmen

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Torrão > Herdade da Pena

Location

The Dolmen of São Fausto is situated in a tranquil rural landscape, on Herdade da Pena estate, near the village of Torrão, in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal. It is located atop a gentle mound, offering an isolated and peaceful environment, typical of the Alentejo region. The surroundings are characterized by cultivated fields and clean air, sometimes accompanied by the slow flight of white storks, which contribute to the serenity of the site.

Traces of Prehistory

This megalithic monument is an important testament to the communities that inhabited this region thousands of years ago. The Dolmen of São Fausto, sometimes referred to as Anta da Lapa de São Fausto, is an ancient funerary structure, composed of large vertical stones, known as orthostats, upon which rests an imposing horizontal slab, the capstone. It was in this space that, in remote times, the dead were laid to rest, accompanied by objects intended to accompany them on their journey.

The monument is considered the only dolmen that remains intact in this municipality, which gives it remarkable archaeological value and allows for a more direct understanding of Neolithic funerary practices.

Legacy and Syncretism

Beyond its archaeological significance, the Dolmen of São Fausto possesses a cultural and symbolic dimension. There is a local legend that tells of the appearance of an image of Saint Fausto at this very spot. This belief led the dolmen to become, over time, a point of Christian worship, a common phenomenon of syncretism where pagan sacred sites were reinterpreted by the new faith.

In fact, a niche was even carved into the dolmen's capstone itself to house the image of the saint, although this original intervention is no longer present. This superposition of cults, from prehistoric to Christian, illustrates how traditions and faith intertwined over the centuries at this unique monument, making it a place of profound historical and cultural interest.

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