Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park

Caves in Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park

Caves and Karst Heritage

Explore the geological and archaeological heritage of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. This collection features the extensive Gruta do Almonda, the largest underground cave system in Portugal, and the Algar do Pena, which contains one of the country's largest subterranean chambers. The list includes the preserved Roman road of Alqueidão da Serra and the unique Anta-Capela das Alcobertas, a megalithic dolmen converted into a Christian chapel. These sites showcase the region’s limestone formations, prehistoric remains, and long-standing human interaction with the karst terrain.

Caves and Karst Heritage — Map

A

Castelo de Porto de Mós

Castelo de Porto de Mós is a castle in Portugal. It is classified as a National Monument.

B

Gruta do Alviela

Source of the Alviela River and part of one of Portugal’s most important karst systems. It has historically supplied water to Lisbon via the Alviela Aqueduct.

Joãofcf / CC BY 3.0

C

Alcobertas

Alcobertas is a civil parish in the municipality of Rio Maior, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 1,923, in an area of 32.03 km².

D

Estrada Romana do Alqueidão da Serra

A well-preserved segment of a Roman road featuring original limestone paving stones, illustrating the region's ancient transport infrastructure.

E

Gruta de Alcobertas

An archaeological cave site containing evidence of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

F

Gruta do Almonda

A vast underground network and archaeological site where the 400,000-year-old Aroeira skull was discovered, representing a significant find for human evolution studies.

G

Algar do Pena

A vertical cave system featuring a massive underground chamber measuring approximately 125,000 cubic meters, making it one of the largest in the country.

H

Algar da Figueira

A vertical cave or sinkhole typical of the limestone karst landscape in the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros region.

I

GRUTA DO URSO

A cave within the Alcobertas system known for the discovery of paleontological remains.

J

Lapa da Cerejeira

A small cave and rock shelter located within the limestone massif of the natural park.

K

Grutas Casal do Guerra

A series of limestone caves and geological formations located near the village of Alcobertas.

Other Lists

Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park Essentials Archaeological Heritage Historic Churches and Chapels Panoramic Nature Viewpoints