Mação, municipality and town of Portugal
Mação is a small town in the Médio Tejo region built around its historic center with narrow streets and old stone buildings. The church near the main square serves as a focal point, with shops and cafés where locals gather daily.
The site was settled in Roman times, as shown by a bathhouse in Ortiga. Archaeological finds from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age, including a major slate saddle discovered in 1944, document long human presence in this region.
The town has roots in Roman settlement and locals keep traditions alive through festivals where traditional music and dress echo the past. Sharing meals and producing regional ham and sausages remain central to community bonds and daily life here.
Visitors can reach the town via a traditional iron bridge over the river and explore hiking, biking, or paragliding. The town also offers calm river beaches for swimming and relaxation, along with local shops and restaurants serving traditional food.
The town holds the first known outdoor rock art in southern Portugal, a horse drawn in profile on the banks of the Ocreza River. This prehistoric artwork was previously found only inside caves like Escoural Cave, making this a rare archaeological discovery.
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