Hidden Gems of Santarém District

Santarém District preserves some of Portugal's most significant archaeological and geological landmarks. This selection features the Moeda Caves, a limestone network of galleries and stalactites discovered in 1971. It also highlights the Mesolithic shell middens of Muge, including Cabeço da Arruda and Moita do Sebastião. These 8,000-year-old sites offer critical insights into prehistoric hunter-gatherer diets and burial customs. Additionally, the Anta-Capela of Alcobertas demonstrates a unique architectural fusion, where a Neolithic megalithic tomb was repurposed into a Christian chapel.

Moeda Caves

Descending down these caves feels like stepping down to the core of the Earth.

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.

Concheiro do Moita do Sebastião

Significant Mesolithic shell midden and necropolis containing numerous human burials and evidence of early sedentary hunter-gatherer communities from approximately 8,000 years ago.

Concheiro de Muge

Part of a world-renowned complex of Mesolithic shell middens in the Muge river valley, providing essential data on prehistoric diets and burial practices in the Tagus basin.

Concheiro do Cabeço da Amoreira

Prehistoric shell midden and habitation site from the Mesolithic period, characterized by layers of shells, animal remains, and archaeological evidence of long-term human occupation.

Concheiro do Cabeço da Arruda

One of the largest and most important Mesolithic shell middens in the Muge valley, featuring a high concentration of archaeological remains and ancient burial sites.