Museu Paleocristão

Mértola


This museum, north of the old town, features a partly reconstructed line of 6th-century Roman columns and poignant funerary stones, some of which are beautifully carved with birds, hearts and wreaths. It was the site of a huge palaeo-Christian basilica, and the adjacent cemetery was used over the centuries by both Roman-era Christians and medieval Moors.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mértola attractions

1. Casa de Mértola

0.17 MILES

Next to the turismo, this small two-room house shows what living conditions were like for Mértolans up until fairly recent times (the 1970s).

2. Alcáçova

0.19 MILES

This site contains the ruins of what was once a thriving Islamic neighbourhood. Some 20 dwellings were here, each with a classic Mediterranean layout – a…

3. Casa Islâmica

0.19 MILES

Next to the alcáçova (citadel), this interpretation centre is an accurately sized replica of an Islamic residence dating from the 12th century. Key…

4. Igreja Matriz

0.2 MILES

Mértola’s striking parish church – square, flat-faced and topped with whimsical little conical decorations – is known because in a former incarnation it…

5. Torre de Menagem

0.24 MILES

Inside the castle walls, this prominent tower has exhibitions related to the history of Mértola, with several worthwhile (if dramatically scored) videos…

6. Castelo

0.24 MILES

Above the parish church looms Mértola’s fortified castle, most of which dates from the 13th century. It was built upon Moorish foundations next to an…

7. Torre do Relógio

0.27 MILES

This little clock tower, topped with a stork’s nest and overlooking the Rio Guadiana, is northeast of Largo Luís de Camões. Alongside it is a municipal…

8. Largo Luís de Camões

0.28 MILES

This is the administrative heart of the old town, a picturesque square lined with orange trees, with the câmara municipal (town hall) at its western end…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "portugal/mertola/attractions/museu-paleocristao/a/poi-sig/1118772/1300068",
      "destination": "Mértola",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Portugal",
      "city": "Mértola",
      "position": "superzone"
    }