Penalva Dolmens (2)

Category: Archaeology > Dólmen

District: Viseu > Penalva do Castelo > Antas

Location

Located in the extreme northeast of the municipality of Penalva do Castelo, the Antas area is situated approximately 17.5 kilometers from the municipal seat. This particular location places it in a transitional environment, where the municipality of Penalva do Castelo meets its boundaries with other territories. To the north, it borders Matela, belonging to the same municipality, while to the south it approaches São João da Fresta, already in the municipality of Mangualde. To the east, its limits extend to the parishes of Matança, Algodres, and Casal Vasco, in the Guarda District, and to the west, it borders Mareco and Vila Cova do Covelo, also in Penalva do Castelo. This geographical position grants it a varied surroundings, marked by rurality and landscapes that unfold between different municipalities.

The Village of Antas

The heart of the Antas area is characterized by the concentration of its few inhabitants in two main nuclei: Antas, which served as the seat of the former parish, and Miusela, a neighboring locality less than one kilometer away. These small urban agglomerations reflect the tranquil and rural nature of the place. In other times, there was a third inhabited point, Carvalhal Redondo, now uninhabited since the 1990s, a testament to the demographic transformations that have shaped the region. Local life unfolds serenely, in surroundings that invite observation of country life.

The Historical-Administrative Legacy

The recent history of Antas is marked by a significant administrative reorganization. Until 2013, it existed as an autonomous parish. However, following an administrative restructuring, its territory was integrated into the Union of Parishes of Antas and Matela. This change, which occurred on January 28, 2013, reflects the evolution and adaptation of Portuguese territorial structures over time. Understanding this trajectory helps to frame the current identity of the place, which, although its parish has been extinguished, maintains its designation and essence as an integral part of the history and landscape of Penalva do Castelo.

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