Category: Civil Architecture > Marker
District: Viana do Castelo > Paredes de Coura > Sapardos
The Antas Miliarium Nucleus is serenely integrated into the locality of Sapardos, in the municipality of Paredes de Coura, district of Viana do Castelo. This site of historical interest is located next to the Chapel of São Bartolomeu, in a rural Minho landscape that invites observation and reflection. Its peaceful and verdant surroundings provide an authentic setting for contemplating these vestiges of a distant past.
Miliarium milestones are cylindrical stone columns erected by the Romans along their extensive roads, for the purpose of marking distances in Roman miles, generally from important reference points such as the city of Bracara Augusta, modern-day Braga. In this nucleus, it is possible to observe a set of six of these impressive milestones. In addition to indicating the distance, some of these milestones also served to record the titles and honors of the emperors who commissioned them, which explains the presence of several inscriptions at a single point on the road.
This collection of miliarium milestones stands out not only for its antiquity but also for the unique way in which it integrates into the surrounding space. Two of these milestones have been skillfully reused and function as supporting elements for the front porch of the Chapel of São Bartolomeu, giving the building a singular character and a tangible connection with Roman heritage. The remaining four milestones are displayed in the chapel's atrium, forming a notable testimony to the advanced engineering and organization of the Roman Empire. The inestimable historical and cultural value of all the miliarium milestones that make up this nucleus is recognized by their classification as National Monuments.
A visit to the Antas Miliarium Nucleus offers the opportunity to experience a fascinating dialogue between classical antiquity and the cultural environment of Minho. The bucolic scenery, with the Chapel of São Bartolomeu as a backdrop, encourages reflection on the diverse layers of history that overlap in this place. The presence of these imposing stones, which once witnessed journeys and the expansion of empires, provides direct contact with an invaluable heritage, revealing the continuity of human presence and its remarkable ability to adapt and reuse the elements that time offers them.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.899281048100995,-8.642977463502977
Coordinates DMS: 41°53'57.4"N 08°38'34.7"W
Weather Sapardos
On-duty Pharmacy Sapardos
