Panoias Sanctuary, Vila Real, Portugal

The Panóias Sanctuary, 'Fragas de Panóias', is located in Vale de Nogueiras, in the municipality of Vila Real. Its construction dates back to the end of the 2nd century - early 3rd century AD.

The sanctuary is an enclosure with three large rocks, where several cavities of various sizes were opened and access stairs were also built.

On the rock located at the entrance of the enclosure, several inscriptions were engraved - three in Latin and one in Greek , describing the ritual celebrated, the gods to whom it was dedicated and who it dedicated.

The sanctuary is composed of tanks of different sizes and shapes, votive inscriptions, building foundations, and access steps. Everything was carved in the granitic rocks outcrop.

Today, only three inscriptions remain in Latin and one in Greek. They contain the instructions of the rituals celebrated, the identification of the gods, and who dedicated the site, Gaius C. Calpurnius Rufinus, a member of the senatorial order.

Address

Rua Central 34, Vila Real, Portugal

See all sites in Vila Real

Details

Founded: 2nd century AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Portugal

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.atlasobscura.com

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Mateus Palace (2,9 km)
Vila Real Cathedral (5,6 km)

Arnóia Castle (32,1 km)

User Reviews

Paulo Lopes (15 months ago)
Nice place full of history. It seemed though that there was some lack of maintenance on it and it seems that it's a trend. Not because of the personnel but government aid. Nevertheless the personnel is amicable and super friendly and the sanctuary is small for current standards but huge for those days. It's just amazing the work and perfection of that place. It's not super expensive so definitely recommend anyone to visit it.

Web meister (4 years ago)
Extremely interesting!

Susan Lorraine Knox (6 years ago)
What a day my friends as I had here. We enjoyed the orientation video and the wandered at will around the grounds. Usually I sense the vestiges of the ancient people I. These pre Roman sites. But this was a very quiet place spiritually. We had just returned from the 25th annual mushroom hunt in Mondragao, a visit to the producer of Cleo soaps (got to say hello to their friendly burro herd), stopped in Sandim for a snack and shopping, and our next stop was Mateus Castle, followed by two big band jazz concerts at the annual festival in Guimeraes! Whew! So this site took us way back in history, deep into the history and cultursl base of Portugal.

Susana coutinho (6 years ago)
Roman sanctuary, dedicated to the God Serapis, a must go.

A Scorpio (6 years ago)
Very well organized exhibitions.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Panoias Sanctuary