Monumento Natural de Carenque, protected area in Portugal
Monumento Natural de Carenque is a nature reserve near Lisbon featuring rock formations and plant life growing among the stones. The site contains dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone layers dating back 90 to 95 million years, with tracks from both herbivorous and possibly carnivorous dinosaurs.
The site was discovered in 1996 in an abandoned quarry near Belas, where dinosaur tracks remained preserved in a thin limestone layer. The area remained largely neglected for over 20 years until recent plans emerged to transform it into a museum and interpretive center for visitors.
The site is valued by locals and visitors as a place to walk quietly and observe the natural world. People come here to experience the land in its simple form, connecting with nature without crowds or complications.
The site has easy paths for walking and exploring the natural landscape in a relaxed way. Visitors should respect the area and look for information signs that explain the environment and the animals that live here.
The footprints here are among the rare discoveries of dinosaur tracks in Portugal, offering a window into life 90 to 95 million years ago. The site demonstrates how ancient history can be preserved in limestone and how scientists read past worlds from simple stone.
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