The Roman Route
Monographic Museum and Roman Ruins of Conímbriga
In Conímbriga, centuries and centuries ago history began to take shape! Conquered in 136 BC, during the campaigns led by Decimus Junius Brutus, the conquest was finally achieved and signed around 138 BC.
During Augustus’s time, urban improvement works took place, for e.g., the forum, the thermal baths and the basilica. The sumptuousness of the city continued until 464 AC, the year in which the Suebi conquered Cantabria and occupied Conímbriga, which then began to decline.
The roman ruins of Conímbriga clearly show the grandness of former times, visible in the archaeological remnants in the Monographic Museum next to the ruins and in the Alcabideque Castle. The sumptuous period is reflected in the houses, for instance, the Cantaber House or the Fountain House, with gardened peristyles and multicoloured tiled panels, the forum, the thermal baths, the amphitheatre, the shops and the aqueduct.
The fragments found in the many excavations are wholly part of this history and its characters! The coin collections, everyday objects, jewellery, ceramics objects and sculptures are really stunning! Let yourself be taken back to those wonderful times!
Condeixa-a-Velha
GPS: 40.099053, -8.494870
T (+351) 239 941 177
Opening Hours:
10am-7pm
Closed: 1 Jan, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 Dec
Rabaçal Roman Villa Site and Museum
Exhibition that shows the relevance of the Roman occupation in the municipality, as an introduction to the visit of the impressive Rabaçal Roman Villa. This archaeological site is located near the Roman road that linked Sellium (Tomar) to Conímbriga and stands out for its impressive pars urbana (the residential part of the manor house), the baths and a number of pars rustica or rural facilities.
Rua da Igreja – Rabaçal | Penela
GPS: 40.030009, -8.454872
T (+351) 239 561 856
Opening Hours:
Tue to Sun: 10am-1pm | 2pm-6pm
Closed: Mon, 1 Jan, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and 25 Dec
Monumental Heritage of Santiago da Guarda
It consists of a medieval tower and a fortified palace dating back to the 16th/19th centuries built on a Roman villa. It is one of the rare civil buildings that boast the scallop, a symbol of the support given to the Portuguese Santiago Route, on the old Roman road. Remnants of the Roman villa atrium and its glazed tiles are found beneath the tower. The Condes de Castelo Melhor Manor House houses the interpretation centre, the Manueline chapel and a store that sells local products.
Rua Condes de Castelo Melhor | Santiago da Guarda | Ansião
GPS: 39.948050, -8.480529
T (+351) 236 672 025 | 236 670 206
Opening Hours:
1 Apr to 31 Oct:
Tue to Fri and Sunday: 10am-1pm | 2.30pm-6.30pm
Saturday: 2.30pm-6.30pm
2 Nov to 30 Mar:
Tue to Fri: 9.30am-1pm | 2pm-5.30pm
Sat and Sunday: 2pm-5.30pm
Closed: Monday and Public Holidays
Roman Ruins of Bobadela
The Roman presence is all around: the forum, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Roman arch welcoming the visitors.
Bobadela | Oliveira do Hospital
GPS: 40.360983, -7.893313
Roman Cryptoportico (Machado de Castro National Museum)