Grutas existentes na freguesia de Lapas

Grutas existentes na freguesia de Lapas is an underground network of stone-carved galleries stretching beneath a medieval village in central Portugal. The complex consists of connected passages and chambers that form an intricate subterranean structure carved into the local rock.

Archaeological investigations revealed that the galleries date back to the 15th century, when evidence suggests they were used for gunpowder production. This underground complex served a practical industrial function during that medieval period.

The caves hold official status as heritage of public interest and serve as a connection to the local past that residents value. Walking through the underground spaces, you encounter a place where history is literally carved into the stone beneath the village.

Visitors should bring a flashlight or headlamp when exploring the caves, as lighting inside the galleries is limited and uneven. Sturdy footwear and caution are recommended since the passages can be narrow and the ground irregular.

In 2017, director João Botelho selected these caves as the filming location for his adaptation of Fernão Mendes Pinto's literary work 'Peregrinação'. This means the underground galleries became a real movie set for bringing a classic Portuguese story to the screen.