Sanctuary of Panóias

Category: Archaeology > Sanctuary

District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Assento > Silveirinha

Location

The Sanctuary of Panóias, also known as Fragas de Panóias, is located in the village of Assento, in the municipality of Vila Real, a few kilometers from the city. This unique site is set within a natural landscape, on a gently sloping rocky platform, covered by low vegetation, and overlooks a watercourse, the Tanha stream. The tranquil surroundings and natural topography were crucial elements for the choice of this site in antiquity.

A Portal to Roman Antiquity

Dating from the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD, the Sanctuary of Panóias is one of the most remarkable Roman rock-cut monuments in Portugal. Classified as a National Monument since 1910, it represents an exceptional testament to the mystery cults that flourished in the Roman Empire. Its construction was driven by the Roman senator Caius Calpurnius Rufinus, who is believed to have brought with him Eastern religious influences, particularly from Asia Minor.

The Rocks and Archaic Rituals

The sanctuary is composed of three imposing granite outcrops, meticulously worked for ritual purposes. Various cavities of different sizes were opened in these rocks, some with access stairs carved into the rock itself. These cavities served specific purposes during the rituals: some were intended for the incineration of sacrificed animal entrails, others were circular basins for collecting blood, and there was also a larger cavity, the gastra, used for roasting meat. The inscriptions carved into the rock, in Latin and Greek, are central elements for understanding the rites celebrated here, dedicated to deities such as Serapis and Isis, and perhaps also to local gods designated as Lapiteas.

The Initiatory Experience

The Sanctuary of Panóias was a space for complex initiation rituals, with a precise itinerary among the three rocks. On the first rock, sacrifices and initial purification took place. The second rock marked a higher phase of the initiatory process. On the third and highest rock, the main act of initiation was performed, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of the participants, a profound transformational experience. To aid in understanding these ancient mysteries, the sanctuary features an interpretive center, which enriches the visit by unveiling the secrets of this enigmatic place and its historical and religious importance.

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