Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viseu > Nelas > Nelas > Santar e Moreira
The necropolis of medieval anthropomorphic graves is situated in the heart of the Viseu district, in the municipality of Nelas, specifically in the locality of Santar e Moreira. This site is set within a typically rural landscape of central Portugal, marked by serene country beauty and the presence of granite outcrops that shape the region's orography. Its location allows visitors to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of tranquility, away from urban hustle and bustle, and to appreciate the essence of its historical-archaeological heritage in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.
The collection of medieval anthropomorphic graves constitutes a valuable testimony to human occupation and funerary practices in the region during the Middle Ages. These graves, characterized by their shape carved directly into the rock to mimic the contour of the human body, offer a fascinating insight into the burial rituals and spirituality of the communities that inhabited these lands many centuries ago. Each grave is a portal to history, revealing the simplicity and pragmatism with which our ancestors dealt with death and the memory of their loved ones.
The uniqueness of these graves lies in their conception: they are excavated in rocky masses, predominantly granite, a material abundant in the region. This work in stone demonstrates the mastery and ingenuity of the medieval populations, who, with rudimentary tools, were able to shape the rock to create these ultimate resting places. The variety in size and depth among the graves may indicate burials of individuals of different ages, from children to adults, lending the site a human dimension and a sense of community that transcends time.
A visit to this necropolis provides an experience of profound contact with the past and collective memory. The environment surrounding the site invites reflection on the transience of life and the permanence of the human legacy. It is a space where the stillness of the rural landscape merges with the silence of the stones, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a period of Portuguese history when life and death were intrinsically linked to the natural cycle and faith. The necropolis is thus a tangible reminder of the presence and culture of peoples who lived and shaped the landscape of inland Portugal.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.5559847,-7.9057839
Coordinates DMS: 40°33'21.5"N 07°54'20.8"W
Weather Nelas
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