Roman Villae of the Montinho das Laranjeiras

The Archaeological Site of the Montinho das Laranjeiras is situated in the small settlement of Laranjeiras, in the Alcoutim lovely village, in the Algarve’s lower Guadiana river region, a place of great beauty by the amazing Guadiana river, a perfect example of the “other” Algarve, filled with charisma and beauty, distant from the tourist beaches of golden sand, yet filled with beauty, tradition and rural heritage.

In 1876 a big flood uncovered the ruins of constructions built during the Moorish, Visigoth and Roman occupancy periods of the territory.

The Montinho das Laranjeiras presents vestiges of occupancy since the 1st century a.C. until the Moorish Almoáda epoch (12th to 13th century). The Roman occupancy period is mostly distinguished by the importance of the “pars fructuaria” building, a place where the agricultural products were stored, dated from the 1st century, that also demonstrated that already in this period were made commercial trades with the North of Africa.

The area comprises the vestiges of a Temple dated from the 6th and 7th centuries, with previous Moorish vestiges from the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Guadiana river influence was strong since remmote periods, and it is thought that many of the residences vestiges in the area would function as a commercial trading area.

This site can also be seen as a part of a wider set, constituted by the Guerreiros do Rio, Álamo and Foz de Odeleite settlements, endowed with other structures that probably complemented the entire set.

It is worth knowing the passage of history that marked this territory of great natural beauty, taking advantage of the fantastic landscape and knowing “another” Algarve.