Conimbriga
Conímbriga, classified as a National Monument, is the best preserved Roman settlement in Portugal. This is due to the fact that, after the Barbarians invaded Conímbriga in the 4th century, it´s role as main city in the region was taken over by nearby Coimbra (then called Aeminium).
In the Middle Ages Conímbriga was abandoned altogether. Although already in the 18th century Conimbriga had begun to attract the interest of historians, the excavations did not start until the beginning of the 20th century.
They are continuing to this day, with a large part of the remains still to be uncovered.
Some of the most important Roman remains that can be seen at Conímbriga are:
- The city walls, largely intact, built to guard part of the city against the first Barbarian invasions of the 3d century AD
- The foundations of the public baths, clearly showing the layout
- The ruins of a Roman villa from the first half of the second century, especially interesting because some 600 sq. ft. of the floor mosaics have been preserved.
Conímbriga also has a museum, where artefacts and scale models are exhibited.
THE REGION
