You may know that, nearly two thousand years ago, much of Portugal was under the control of the Roman Empire. Yet, did you know that there is evidence of Roman settlement just adjacent to the popular Vilamoura marina in the Algarve? It’s true! The recently-updated Cerro da Villa Roman Ruins and Museum offers an up-close look at the remnants of a centuries-old villa as well as other unearthed items tracing a larger 5000-year history of inhabitants in Vilamoura.
Outside, in the archaeological site, visitors can stroll around the ruins of a Roman villa complex. A large villa sits at the centre. The vastness of the building would indicate that it belonged to a family of high stature. Inside, archaeologists have discovered mosaic flooring, individual bedrooms, private baths of hot (caldarium), warm (tepidarium) and cold (frigidarium) water, a dining room and atrium with reflecting pool.
Next to the villa is a public pool/bath complex, a fish processing facility and a mausoleum, where it’s still possible to see the niches on which the remains of households members were laid to rest. It’s truly a unique opportunity to understand, firsthand, how daily life would have take shape a millennium ago.
Inside, visitors to the museum can also see evidence of the breadth of life in Vilamoura spanning 5,000 years, from the Bronze age, through the Roman period, into occupation by the Moors.
To start, remains from 12th-10th century BC graves, are on display along with earthenware bowls and vessels.
Numerous relics found in the settlement outside, represent the Roman period. These range from practical items like urns and oil lamps, to personal items such as jewellery and hair clasps.
Pottery bowls and lamps with distinctive Islamic design provide insight into the Moorish influence in the area from the 8th-to-12th century.
For more information, visit the Cerro da Vila web page.
Cerro da Vila Museum and Archaeological Site
(Between the Vilamoura Post office & The Lake Resort)
Avenida Cerro da Vila
Vilamoura
Phone: + 351 289 312 153
E-mail: cerrodavila@vilamouraworld.com
Entrance:
Adults – € 4.00
Seniors & Students – €2.00
Children under 13 Years – Free
Hours:
Monday to Friday – 9:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00
Saturday & Sunday – Closed
