Traces of the Past: Visiting Roman Ruins in the Algarve | Portugal

The Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, is a popular holiday getaway location for travellers who love sand, sun and surf and a laid back lifestyle. However, this European beach retreat has more than sun loungers and fresh seafood to offer. If you are an ancient history buff, the Algarve has many impressive ruins from the Roman era to uncover.

Milreu Ruins, Algarve, Portugal / photo released under public domain

During the 2nd century BC the Algarve came under the control of the Romans and they spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The Roman Empire ruled throughout the Algarve until it was conquered by the Visigoths and many Roman ruins still stand in the region today.

There are many sites to view Roman ruins in the Algarve, so here are some of the most impressive historical hotspots:

Milreu Ruins – Unearth Buried Treasure

One of the best places in the Algarve to see the remains of Roman civilization is at the Milreu Ruins, which are located only a few kilometres from Faro. There are some of the most significant ruins from Roman times in all the Algarve and their archaeological site has been designated a national monument.

If you were to transport yourself back in time at this spot, you would be able to walk into a gorgeous luxury rural villa on a wealthy farm, complete with ornate sculptures and elaborate tile mosaic floors. Later in the 6th century it was converted into a Christian church and later the site of an Islamic cemetery. The vaulted ceilings of this impressive building collapsed in the 10th century and the site was abandoned, but it has since been recovered and its heritage has been preserved.

The site is now known as the Casa Rural das Ruinas or the “Country House of the Ruins” and it has been extensively preserved and turned into a visitor’s centre and museum. As you walk through where the manor house, farm buildings, baths, temple and wine press would have been, you will have a chance to see what life would have been like during the time of the Romans.

Cero da Vila – Ancient Villas in the Sunshine

The coastal holiday resort of Vilamoura is well known for its gorgeous harbour lined with high quality restaurants and shops and populated with top-of-the-line sailing ships. However, this glitzy resort also holds some ancient treasures in the form of the Cerro da Vila Roman Ruins.

Like the ruins at Milreu, these were also once a large rural villa on a prosperous farm. As you stroll through the historical site you can see where the reception room, bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen would have been. Some of the mosaic tiles depicting decorative scenes have been preserved beautifully.

Quelfes Roman Bridge – Standing the Test of Time

It appears at first glance to be a modest, simple bridge structure, but the history behind Quelfes Roman Bridge is astounding. This bridge was constructed in the 1st century AD and is thought to be one of the most important road structures of the Roman occupation period in the Algarve.

This bridge also played an important part in another historical time. On June 18th, 1808 it was where the troops of Napoleon were defeated which was a point of uprising for the entire Algarve region. Restored in 2005, this old bridge is definitely worth a closer look.

The Algarve region has a long and fascinating history and many ruins remain from past inhabitants of this region. These are just a few of the places in the Algarve where you can see and touch the remnants of Roman times and learn more about what life would have been like so many centuries ago.

While you are staying at Four Seasons Fairways in the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal, here are some locations where you can spot ruins from Roman times.

Tags: beach retreat, farm buildings, fresh seafood, getaway location, history buff, holiday getaway, iberian peninsula, impressive ruins, manor house farm, mosaic floors, roman civilization, roman empire, roman ruins, sand sun, southernmost region, sun loungers, tile mosaic, vaulted ceilings, visigoths, wine press

Category: Portugal, Sights