Category: Archaeology > Mound
District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Alvão
The Mamoa do Alto do Cotorino is located in the village of Alvão, in the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. This prehistoric monument is set in a predominantly rural and isolated landscape, rising on a small hill. Its elevated position in the landscape allows it to be seen from a distance, offering a wide perspective over the surrounding area, which includes the winding River Torno. The site, covered by low vegetation, invites quiet observation and a connection with the surrounding nature.
The Mamoa do Alto do Cotorino represents one of the most notable megalithic monuments in the Vila Pouca de Aguiar region, recognized as one of the best-preserved examples in the municipality. Dating back to the Megalithic Era, its probable construction dates to around 3000 BC, a period that takes us back to the beginnings of organized human occupation in the territory. Due to its undeniable historical and cultural importance, the mamoa was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1990, an acknowledgment of its patrimonial value for future generations.
This ancient collective burial site consists of a large mound of earth and stone, known as a tumulus, which reaches approximately 20 meters in diameter and about 2 meters in height. Inside, the mamoa houses a polygonal burial chamber, about 2 meters in diameter. Seven of the eight original monoliths, granite orthostats, can still be seen in their original position. A large slab, located near the entrance to the chamber, may have served as a capstone or closing element for the burial space. Although it has undergone interventions over time, the stone structure of this mamoa remains remarkably intact, allowing a clear understanding of its original architecture.
Visiting the Mamoa do Alto do Cotorino is an opportunity to immerse oneself in an environment of tranquility and reflection. The site, once used for ancient funerary rituals, now serves as a historical-cultural landmark, inviting contemplation of the landscape and imagination of bygone eras. Its isolated location, at the top of a small hill, provides a serene environment, ideal for those seeking a more intimate contact with history and nature, appreciating the vast panoramic views that stretch over the Torno River valley. It is an invitation to feel the passage of time and to appreciate the enduring mark of human presence in this ancestral territory.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.49720525,-7.72194488
Coordinates DMS: 41°29'49.9"N 07°43'19.0"W
Weather Alvão
On-duty Pharmacy Alvão
