Parques de Portugal

Meada’s Menhir

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The menhir of Meada is the largest fully carved menhir by human hand in the Iberian Peninsula, and therefore the most imposing megalithic construction of all on the geological contact line between granites and schists of São Mamede hills. Discovered in 1965, broken in two, it was rebuilt in the 90’s acquired a prominent place in megalithic peninsular as the highest and impressive monument of this type. It appears isolated in the granite plateau of Sever river, making however part of a set of dolmens and menhirs, such as the megalithic necropolis of Coureleiros which is contemporary. Of its 7.15 m high, rises from the ground about 4 m, with a maximum diameter of 1.25 m, assuming a cilindriforme figure of phallic appearance, accentuated by the sharpness of the intaglio and the presence of a rebound in stone that resembles a glans.

It is a unique vestige of mythical representation, the symbol of fertility and belief in Neocalcolitic period, a symbol of the prosperity of prehistoric communities that settled here.

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  • The menhir of Meada is the largest fully carved menhir by human hand in the Iberian Peninsula, and therefore the most imposing megalithic construction of all on the geological contact line between granites and schists of São Mamede hills. Discovered in 1965, broken in two, it was rebuilt in the 90’s acquired a prominent place in megalithic peninsular as the highest and impressive monument of this type. It appears isolated in the granite plateau of Sever river, making however part of a set of dolmens and menhirs, such as the megalithic necropolis of Coureleiros which is contemporary. Of its 7.15 m high, rises from the ground about 4 m, with a maximum diameter of 1.25 m, assuming a cilindriforme figure of phallic appearance, accentuated by the sharpness of the intaglio and the presence of a rebound in stone that resembles a glans.

    It is a unique vestige of mythical representation, the symbol of fertility and belief in Neocalcolitic period, a symbol of the prosperity of prehistoric communities that settled here.

  • Alentejo

  • Castelo de Vide

  • Serra de S. Mamede Nature Park

  • Yes

  • Access coming from:

    - Castelo de Vide (about 11.5 km) - take EM524. After 500 m turn left to EM1006-1 and drive 4.1. km. At sítio de Vale das Dornas this road meets EM1006. Take the right to EM1006 for about 5.5 km (direction Spain). Before Meada, there’s a road on the right with the sign “Menir”. Drive 900 m and the menir is on the left.

     

    GPS: 39.496068, -7.445665

  • National Heritage

  • Cultural Historical

  • Rural.

  • Public