Roman Sinks and Graves

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Bragado > Vilela da Cabugueira

Location

Situated in the tranquil locality of Bragado, in Vilela da Cabugueira, this site is nestled within the verdant and serene landscape of the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, in the district of Vila Real. The surroundings are marked by a deep rurality, where nature and history intertwine harmoniously, inviting contemplation and immersion in the past. Its position offers an authentic perspective on Roman life and presence in this inland region of northern Portugal.

Vestiges of a Distant Era

The Roman Cisterns and Sepulchres constitute tangible evidence of the Roman presence in the territory that today corresponds to northern Portugal. These archaeological remains reveal crucial aspects of the daily life and rituals of the communities that settled here about two millennia ago. The "cisterns," carved into rock or built of stone, may indicate the existence of economic activities linked to agriculture, such as wine or olive oil production, or even functions related to the supply and use of water in settlements.

Rituals and Funerary Memory

The Roman sepulchres present at this site offer a window into the beliefs and funerary customs of the time. They represent the final resting place of the inhabitants who once populated this area, reflecting their cremation or inhumation practices. The observation of these funerary structures allows for an understanding of how the Romans honored their dead, perpetuating their memory within the landscape, a legacy that endures through the centuries and connects us to the ancestry of these lands.

A Visible Legacy

The collection of Roman Cisterns and Sepulchres is a valuable example of Roman civil and funerary architecture that can be appreciated in situ. The way these elements have been preserved and presented allows the visitor direct comprehension of Roman engineering and construction techniques, as well as their adaptation to the local landscape. Each stone and each excavation tells a part of the history of Vilela da Cabugueira, inviting imagination about the lives of the people who lived here under Roman rule.

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