Roman Villa of Rabaçal

The Roman Villa of Rabaçal, in the municipality of Penela, is located 12 km south of Conímbriga, part of the territory of the former civitas, next to the Roman road that connected Lisbon (Olisipo) to Braga (Bracara Augusta).

Field research began in 1979 when data for the Archaeological Charter of the Roman period were collected in the Conímbriga area. Archaeological works began in 1984 and have continued systematically until the present day.

The density of surface artefacts allowed the area of the villa to be established at about 50 meters wide by 150 meters long. The figurative motifs on the mosaics at the site (seasons, quadriga and a sitting female figure) and even some geometrical and vegetation compositions bear no similarities with other artifacts in Portugal, and collectively define a new stylistic group.

The chronology of the villa is based on the study of dozens of collected coins, dated from various periods of the 4th century after Christ. Espaço-Museu do Rabaçal hosts some of the artifacts collected during the archaeological works. A visit to the archaeological site and the agricultural farm is a must. Visitors will be able to appreciate the rustic villa, the Frumentaria and the 4 century AD urban villa. The space is also on the route of the Manor House of the Counts of Castelo Melhor, in Ansião: the coexistence of a 16th century manor house and a Roman villa is considered unique in the Iberian Peninsula.