Mértola
The Islamic Neighbourhood
37º38'19.66"N / 7º39'50.44"O
Tuesday to Sunday
Morning: 9:10 AM to 12:30 PM / Afternoon: 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM;
Closed on Mondays and on national holidays (January 1st, May 1st, Easter Sunday,
and December 25th), and on December 24th (Christmas Eve).
About
The Islamic Neighbourhood
After the Religious Complex collapsed at the beginning of the 12th century, a new residential area was built in its place. This neighbourhood has 15 identified houses that, over time, were transformed into approximately 18. It had narrow and winding streets that provided shelter from the cold wind in the Winter and the heat in the Summer.
The houses are organised around a central courtyard, a source of light for the entire space, that leads to the different rooms. Privacy is a constant element in the family environment, so there are no windows to the outside, and entrance doors are not aligned. These residences always have an entrance hall, central courtyard, kitchen, pantry, living room or bedrooms and a latrine.
Access
Prepare your visit
Free entrance.
Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.
IMAGES GALLERY
Mértola Archaeological Site Photographic archive
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RESEARCH
Bibliography & useful links
BOIÇA, Joaquim Manuel Ferreira; MATEUS, Rui (2014). Mértola: Roteiro de história urbana e património. Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola, Mértola, p. 73.
GÓMEZ MARTÍNEZ, Susana, coord. (2008). Alcáçova do Castelo de Mértola, 1978-2008, Trinta Anos de Arqueologia, Câmara Municipal de Mértola, Mértola. Disponível em: Consultar Artigo Completo → [Consultado a 04/04/2023].
GÓMEZ MARTÍNEZ, Susana, coord. (2014). Museu de Mértola. Catálogo Geral, Campo Arqueológico de Mértola, Mértola, pp. 64-83.
MACIAS, Santiago (1996). Mértola Islâmica. Estudo Histórico-Arqueológico do Bairro da Alcáçova (Séculos XII-XIII), Campo Arqueológico de Mértola, Mértola.
MACIAS, Santiago (2005). Mértola: O último porto do Mediterrâneo. Catálogo da exposição Mértola – história e património: séculos V-XIII, 3 vols., Campo Arqueológico de Mértola, Mértola.
PALMA, Maria de Fátima (2015). Configurações singulares do urbanismo da Casa XVI do Bairro Islâmico da Alcáçova do Castelo. In VII Encuentro de Arqueología del Suroeste Peninsular, Ayuntamiento de Aroche, Aroche, pp. 1081-1095. Disponível em: Consultar Artigo Completo → [Consultado a 04/04/2023].