Artificial caves of Alapraia

Largo Afonso do Paço - Alapraia - 2765 Estoril

URL: Artificial caves of Alapraia

Artificial caves of Alapraia
Situated at São João do Estoril, the vaulted caves form a sort of pre-historic necropolis dating from 5000 years ago and belonging to the first Peninsular Bronze Age; the four chambers, four to six metres wide and about two metres high, are illuminated by a skylight.

In modern times, the caves were used as cellars to store firewood or as pigsties, so they aren’t exactly well preserved; the first cave is in better condition and is thus more interesting.

Called «Moors’ Dens» by the zone’s population, the only access was through sheds or homes of local residents, so it was necessary to ask the owners’ permission to visit them; the Cascais Town Council began to turn the caves into an open-air museum in 2004 and the works aren’t expected to be finished before 2008.

Most of the archaeological objects found at the caves are in display at the Counts Castro Guimarães Museum.