Roman Villa of Ammaia

A substantial Roman town founded in the 1st century AD within the Serra de Sao Mamede Nature Park near Marvao, in the province of Lusitania. Ammaia occupied approximately 25 hectares with a population of 5,000-6,000 inhabitants and received its civitas statute in 44-45 AD. Rich in minerals including quartz and gold, the town featured a forum, public baths, running water, and a bridge over the river Sever, serving as a waypoint connecting Lisbon, Evora, Santarem, and Merida. Declared a National Monument in 1949, the site was only properly identified as Ammaia in the 1930s by Leite de Vasconcelos. Excavations since 1994 have covered just 3,000 m2 of the town, with artifacts including glass objects, coins, and jewelry displayed in the on-site Quinta do Deao museum.