Dolmen-Chapel of São Brissos, Christianized dolmen in Santiago do Escoural, Portugal.
The Dolmen-Chapel of São Brissos blends an ancient burial chamber made from megalithic stones with a later Christian chapel covered in white paint. The interior reveals original stones alongside religious furnishings.
This burial monument was built during the Stone Age, thousands of years before Christianity arrived. In the 1600s it was converted into a chapel, giving it a new religious purpose.
The chapel shows how people transformed an ancient burial place into a religious space while honoring both traditions. Visitors can see how stone blocks and Christian elements stand side by side today.
The site sits near the main road to Santiago do Escoural and is easy to access by foot or car. Wear sturdy shoes and respect the barriers, as it is a protected monument.
The burial chamber still holds its original megalithic stones that are thousands of years old, yet it functions as an active place for religious observance. Few prehistoric sites successfully maintain this dual role.
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