Monuments of Portugal

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Portugal is a country with a rich and diverse history. Throughout the centuries, many civilisations left a mark in the territory; from the Greeks and the Celts through the Romans and the Moors, this rich heritage is evident in the wealth of historical monuments throughout the country.

[edit] Portugal as a mixture of civilizations

The first known people that lived in Portugal were the Oestriminis, that stretched their territory from Galicia (Northwestern Spain) to the Algarve. They deemed to be the first native people of Portugal. The first documented invasion occurred long before the birth of Christ, when the Ophis with other tribes entered the Iberian Peninsula and settled in the fertile lands of the Oestreminis, near the Douro and Tagus Rivers. Later the territory was conquered and settled by numerous civilizations such as the Celts, Greeks, Iberians and Lusitanians to name but a few. The Phoenicians also settled in this part of the peninsula and had a great influence on the Lusitanians, especially on their religion, culture and language. The Lusitanians are seen as the proto-Portuguese.

Later came the Romans. Many of their constructions and cities are still found today throughout the country. Of particular importance are the ruins of Conimbriga, as well as ruins in the cities of Lisbon and Evora.

After the Romans, the Visigoths and the Suevi came along with other Barbarian peoples from Germany and settled in the territory.

Later came the Moorish people, from North Africa who invaded the entire Peninsula, except for a stretch of mountains in Asturias (northern Spain) from where the reconquest (reconquista) of the Iberian Peninsula started.

Portugal took its autonomy from the Kingdom of Leon in 1128 and emerged as a fully independent kingdom, officially recognised by the Pope in 1143. From then on monuments have been built in honour of its kings, nobles, clergy and its various battles for independence and the maintenance of it. The country continued to be influenced by other civilizations, one of which was the Viking that sporadically invaded and destroyed towns and villages throughout the coast. The Castilians (later the Spanish) and the French where also responsible for damage in historical buildings after their invasions of Portugal.

See also: History of Portugal — Timeline of Portuguese history - List of Portuguese monarchs — Lusitania — Roman Empire

[edit] National Monuments

Although there are numerous monuments from various ages some of them have a special value due to their historical, architectural, artistic and cultural importance. These monuments are classified and protected by the Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico (Portuguese institute for architectural heritage) that declares monuments as Monumento Nacional (National Monument). They are protected and preserved by this institute.

[edit] Castles, Palaces and Libraries

[edit] Northern Portugal

region: Entre Douro e Minho

region: Trás-os-Montes

[edit] Central Portugal

region: Beira Litoral

region: Beira Interior

region: Estremadura and Ribatejo

[edit] Southern Portugal

region: Alentejo

region: Algarve

[edit] Monasteries, Cathedrals and Churches

[edit] Northern Portugal

region: Entre Douro e Minho

region: Trás-os-Montes

[edit] Central Portugal

region: Beira Litoral

region: Beira Interior

region: Estremadura and Ribatejo

[edit] Southern Portugal

region: Alentejo

region: Algarve

[edit] Prehistoric, Roman and other National Monuments

[edit] Northern Portugal

region: Entre Douro e Minho

region: Trás-os-Montes

[edit] Central Portugal

region: Beira Interior

region: Estremadura and Ribatejo

region: Dão-Lafões

[edit] Southern Portugal

region: Alentejo

region: Algarve

[edit] See also

Portugal Portal
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