Ruínas de São Miguel de Odrinhas, Roman necropolis and chapel in São João das Lampas, Portugal.
Ruínas de São Miguel de Odrinhas is a Roman villa site with a chapel in São João das Lampas that was settled from the first century BC onward. Excavations have revealed stone walls, geometric mosaic floors, and a vaulted structure from the second century, along with a cemetery layer containing burials from a later medieval period.
The original estate was established in the first century BC and underwent several construction phases until the fourth century AD. The site was eventually abandoned, but a Christian chapel was later built over the ruins, transforming the area into a burial ground.
The chapel was built directly over Roman foundations, showing how early Christian communities created sacred places on sites that already held meaning for earlier generations. Walking through the grounds today, you notice how different periods of faith and settlement have left their marks side by side.
The site is best explored during daylight hours since the excavated layers and details are easier to see with natural light. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, as the ground is uneven and can be muddy, especially after rain.
Carved inscriptions on stones throughout the site span two thousand years from ancient times through the 19th century, documenting the long occupation of the place. These inscribed objects offer clues about the different people who called this site home and left their marks across centuries.
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