Menhirs in the Algarve - An archeological treasure

The existence of veins of flint in the Vila do Bispo area, along with the opportunities for finding food among the rich marine fauna, as attested by the presence of shell mounds, must have been one of the reasons for the
first human settlements.

The most interesting testimony to the past are, however, the numerous menhirs (4,000 to 3,000 B.C.). Hewn out of white limestone, usually conical in shape, and sometimes bearing decoration carved in relief, they are reminders of ancient cults linked to fertility and the dead.

The Romans too left important remains that bear witness to the fish-salting industry and to the manufacture of amphorae for transporting the finished product.

Vila do Bispo

Marmeleiro. 3 menhirs in a row
Vale de Gato de Cima 3 scattered menhirs.
Pedra Escorregadia. 3 decorated menhirs and a collective grave with corridor and chamber.
Casa do Frances. 6 small menhirs and a slab decorated with dimples.
Amantes. Many menhirs, which were part of two cromlechs.
Cerro do Camacho. 5 scattered menhirs.

Budens

Adreneira. 3 menhirs which are thought to have been part of a cromlech.
Vale do Oiro. 2 menhirs.
Almedeninha e Figueira. Burial sites consisting of chambers made of sandstone slabs (Bronze Age).
Canicos. Group of 3 menhirs. Figueira. Group of 6 menhirs.
Figueira. Six menhirs in a group.
Praia da Salema. Remains of a Roman villa and a fish preserves factory.
Boca do Rio. An important Roman villa with frescoes and mosaics, bathhouse, warehouses and a fish salting and conserving factory. It was possibly part of a port. Nearby are two burial sites.

Raposeira

Barreiros. Two groups of menhirs, one aligned North/South.
Gasga. Group of 6 menhirs.
Milrei. Group of 21 menhirs, some decorated. Nearby, two slabs decorated with furrows.
Padrao. Group of 15 menhirs, some with decoration.
Ingrina. Burial site consisting of chambers made of limestone slabs. Nearby, 3 menhirs.
Ladeiras. Group of 2 menhirs, one of them 2,5 m (8 feet) high.

Sagres

Santo Antonio. Remains of menhirs.
Praia do Martinhal. A major Roman pottery centre, with three kilns for the production of amphorae. On the islets opposite the beach are remains of tanks used for salting fish.
Praia da Mareta. Ruins of silos and medieval tile and brick kilns, in use until the 16th century.