Portugal

Places in this region

Anta de Pavia

Pagan monument converted to Christianity with the population

Even without its history, the Anta de Pavia would stand out. In the dead center of a square in Pavia, surrounded by white-washed, red-roofed buildings, is a giant boulder that has stood there for... »

Architectural Oddities, Curious Places of Worship, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

vilarinho da furna

Submerged village appears when dam levels drop

In a rare occurrence, during a particularly dry spell in Portugal's Minho region, Vilarinho da Furna emerges from beneath the water to reveal the bare walls of a 2000-year-old town destroyed by an... »

Ghost Towns, Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

Stone House

A small Portuguese cottage formed between boulders in the countryside

There has been controversy since the first photos of the Stone House emerged on the internet. The Portuguese cottage seemed too unlikely to be real and doubters immediately sprang upon the home as... »

Eccentric Homes, Outsider Architecture | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

The Village of Monsanto

Houses tucked between, on, and underneath giant boulders

In 1938, Monsanto was bestowed the most "Portuguese town in Portugal." At first glance, Monsanto certainly does not seem a fit representative of the entire country. For one thing, most... »

Intriguing Environs, Architectural Oddities, Eccentric Homes, Outsider Architecture | Edited by serflac, atimian and 2 others

Carmo Convent Ruins

Legacy of the earthquake that nearly wiped Lisbon off the face of the Earth

"Come, ye philosophers, who cry, 'All’s well,' and contemplate this ruin of a world." -Voltaire, 1756 One of the deadliest earthquakes in history struck Lisbon on All-Saint's day, November... »

Unique Collections, Memento Mori, Disaster Areas, Incredible Ruins | Edited by Annetta and Dylan

Portugal's Chapel of Bones

16th Century chapel decorated with bones, skulls, and entire bodies hanging from the wall

The Chapel of Bones is part of the larger Royal Church of St. Francis and was constructed by Franciscan monks in the late 16th century. The Chapel's story is a familiar one. By the 16th... »

Ossuaries, Catacombs, Crypts, & Cemeteries | Edited by Dylan, Lockeblade and 2 others

Belem Tower Rhinoceros (Torre de Belém)

A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck

The first rhinoceros to set foot on European soil since Roman times did not last long. Surviving the 120-day sea voyage to Portugal, the rhino was a diplomatic gift from India. Arriving in 1515,... »

Strange Statues, Architectural Oddities | Edited by Annetta and wythe

Capela do Senhor da Pedra

Picturesque intersection of witchcraft and ancient Christianity

Originally, the stunning marble- and granite-strewn beaches of Miramar were the site of ancient pagan worship. Specifically, the giant boulder jutting into the sea was where rituals were once... »

Anomalous Islands, Lost Tribes | Edited by littlebrumble and Dylan

Igreja de Vera Cruz de Marmelar

A chunk of the 'true cross' is held in this small Portuguese church where modern day exorcisms are said to be common place

Relics of the true cross are a strange thing, and carry with them a Christian legend most Christians have never heard of. Known as the "Golden Legend," it begins as Adam - as in Adam and Eve -... »

Relics and Reliquaries, Rites and Rituals, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by

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