Cacela Velha, Coastal village in Vila Nova de Cacela, Portugal.
Cacela Velha is a whitewashed settlement perched on a hilltop overlooking the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where canals and islands spread toward the Atlantic Ocean. The village appears compact and centers around the old church with a handful of surrounding structures.
Excavations in 2007 revealed that the site was once Medina Qast'alla Daraj, a 10th-century Islamic grain storage center with underground corn pits. This early function shaped the location and layout we see today.
The main church displays Renaissance features with a 16th-century portal and holds a statue of Nossa Senhora de Assunção from the 1700s. The building reflects the religious layers that accumulated over centuries in this location.
The place is best explored on foot with pathways around the church and remaining houses. Visitors can arrange boat rides from here to nearby beaches or enjoy views across the lagoon landscape.
A water cistern next to the church was built following the 1755 earthquake and may contain elements from earlier Moorish structures. This blending of building traditions speaks to the different cultures that shaped this place.
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