IDANHA-A-VELHA

East of Idanha-a-Nova, we find a truly live historical museum. It was a prosperous roman city - Civitas Aegitidanorum.

Documents prove the existence of the village since the year of 16 B. C.

An inscription dated of that year, shows the offer, made by Quinto Gálio Augurino, citizen of Emerita Augusta (Mérida), of a sun clock to the Igeditanos. In 105 the village appears referred in an inscription in the monumental roman bridge of Alcántara, as one of the towns that have contributed for the construction.

In the 5th century is devastated by the Barbaric invaders. Under the name of Egitânea, in the period of occupation, knows a big development, and was, since the year of 599, the center where the golden currencies were made. The Cathedral was built in this epoch.

The majority of the roman monuments are well conserved and, some, still being recuperated.

You must visit the Cathedral and its lateral door, The Roman Bridge of river Ponsul,  the Chapel of S. Dâmaso (18th century) and the Museum Egitaniense.