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.
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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 thr 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 civilisations, one of which was the Viking that sporafically 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 — Kings of Portugal family tree — Lusitania — Roman Empire
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.
Castles, Palaces and Libraries
Northern Portugal
region: Entre Douro e Minho
region: Trás-os-Montes
Central Portugal
region: Beira Litoral
- Castle of Montemor-o-Velho, Montemor-o-Velho
- Castle of Penela, Penela
- Castle of Santa Maria da Feira, Santa Maria da Feira
region: Beira Interior
- Castle of Belmonte, Belmonte
- Castle of Castelo Rodrigo, Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo
- Castle of Marialva, Mêda
- Castle of Pinhel, Pinhel
region: Estremadura and Ribatejo
- Castle of Almourol, Vila Nova da Barquinha
- Library of Ajuda, Lisbon
- National Palace of Ajuda, Lisbon
- National Palace of Pena, Sintra
- National Palace of Queluz, Sintra
- National Palace of Sintra, Sintra
- Palace and Convent of Mafra, Mafra
- Tower of São Vicente de Belém, Lisbon
Southern Portugal
region: Alentejo
- Castle of Amieira do Tejo, Nisa
- Castle of Belver, Gavião
- Castle of Campo Maior, Campo Maior
- Castle of Elvas, Elvas
- Castle of Évoramonte, Évora
- Castle of Portalegre, Portalegre
- Castle of Terena, Alandroal
- Castle of Viana do Alentejo, Viana do Alentejo
region: Algarve
Monasteries, Cathedrals and Churches
Northern Portugal
region: Entre Douro e Minho
- Cathedral of Braga, Braga
- Cathedral of Oporto, Oporto
- Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios, Braga
- Church of São Miguel do Castelo, Guimarães
- First Church of Caminha, Caminha
- Monastery of Grijó, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Monastery of Pombeiro, Felgueiras
- Monastery of Rendufe, Amares
- Monastery of Tibães, Braga
region: Trás-os-Montes
- Cathedral of Vila Real, Vila Real
- Church of Miranda, Miranda do Douro
- First Church of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Freixo de Espada à Cinta
- First Church of Torre de Moncorvo, Moncorvo
Central Portugal
region: Beira Litoral
- Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão, Lamego
- Monastery of Arouca, Arouca
- Monastery of Ferreirim, Lamego
- Monastery of Lorvão, Penacova
- Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, Coimbra
- Monastery of Santa Cruz, Coimbra
- Monastery of São João de Tarouca, Tarouca
- New Cathedral of Coimbra, Coimbra
- Old Cathedral of Coimbra, Coimbra
region: Beira Interior
- Cathedral of Guarda, Guarda
- Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Aguiar, Figueira De Castelo Rodrigo
region: Estremadura and Ribatejo
- Cathedral of Lisbon, Lisbon
- Chapel of São Jorge, Porto de Mós
- Church of Santa Engrácia and National Panteon, Lisbon
- Church of Santa Maria da Graça de Santarém, Santarém
- Church of São Vicente de Fora, Lisbon
- Convent of Christ, Tomar
- First Church of Golegã, Golegã
- Monastery of Alcobaça, Alcobaça
- Monastery of Batalha, Batalha
- Monastery of Jerónimos, Lisbon
Southern Portugal
region: Alentejo
- Cathedral of Évora, Évora
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Elvas
- Monastery of Flor da Rosa, Crato
region: Algarve
Prehistoric, Roman and other National Monuments
Northern Portugal
region: Entre Douro e Minho
- Citânia de Santa Luzia, Viana do Castelo
- Pre-Historic and Roman Ruins of Tongobriga, Marco de Canaveses
region: Trás-os-Montes
Central Portugal
region: Beira Interior
- Roman Ruins of Egiptânia and Medieval Idanha-a-Velha, Idanha-a-Nova
- Roman Tower of Centum Cellas, Belmonte
- Roman Ruins of Conímbriga, Coimbra
Southern Portugal
region: Alentejo
- Grotto of Escoural, Montemor-o-Novo
- Lagar de Varas do Fojo, Moura
- Megalitic Monuments of Elvas, Elvas
- Pre-Historic Settlement of Santa Vitória, Campo Maior
- Pre-Historic to Medieval Curcuit of Cola, Ourique
- Roman Ruins of Miróbriga, Santiago do Cacém
- Roman Ruins of Villa Áulica and Convent of São Cucufate, Vidigueira
- Roman Villa of Pisões, Beja
- Roman Villa of Torre de Palma, Monforte
region: Algarve