Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Megalith devotees can buy the topic
Paisagens Arqueologicas A Oeste de Évora
(€13),
which has English summaries, available at the
turismo
.
You can see more megaliths around Reguengos de Monsaraz, Elvas and Castelo de
Vide.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SECRETS OF THE MEGALITHS
Mário Carvalho is a tour guide of the Alentejo megaliths with Ebora Megalithica (
Click here
).
What's the big deal about the megaliths?
They remain today the most tangible and impressive remains of one
of the most significant moments in human history - the Neolithic revolution.
What's your favourite megalith [in Alentejo] and why?
The megalithic enclosure of Almendres (near Évora)!
Besides being the largest megalithic monument on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the oldest monuments of hu-
mankind, its location (on a slope facing the eastern horizon) and surroundings (a cork oak forest) make this
monument one of a kind.
Can you share any 'secrets' about a megalith?
One of the biggest misconceptions about the standing stones is
that they are phallic representations. It's a Freudian misconception. Modern archaeology and the study of rock art
have proven this wrong and have gradually replaced it with an anthropomorphic perspective. In fact, they are pos-
sibly the first statues dedicated to the human figure.
Getting There & Away
To get to this area, your only options are to rent a car or bike (note that about 5km of the
route is rough and remote), hire a taxi for the day (around €60), or go on a guided tour
(
Click here
)
.
With your own wheels, head west from Évora on the old Lisbon road (N114) for 10km,
then turn south for 2.8km to Guadalupe, then follow the signs to the Cromeleque dos Al-
mendres (4.3km).
Return to Guadalupe and head south for 5km to Valverde, home of the Universidade de
Évora's school of agriculture and the 16th-century Convento de Bom Jesus. Following the
signs to Anta Grande do Zambujeiro, turn into the school's farmyard and onto a badly
potholed track. After 1km you'll see the Great Dolmen.
Cromeleque dos Almendres
Set within a beautiful landscape of olive and cork trees - unfortunately the dirt road al-
most impinges onto the site - is the Cromeleque dos Almendres (Almendres Cromlech).
