Museu de Mértola
Beja
Museu de Mértola is a multifaceted archaeological museum located in the historic town of Mértola, Portugal. It comprises three main sites highlighting different eras: the Roman museum housed in the Town Hall, featuring a reconstructed 3rd-4th century villa and mosaics with Byzantine influences; the Islamic art collection exhibiting ceramics and artifacts from the 9th to 13th centuries; and the Paleo-Christian site including a Roman cryptoporticus and a 6th-century baptistery. The museum's collections reveal the town's significance as an ancient Roman city known as Myrtilis Iulia, and later as a key Islamic settlement. Noteworthy exhibits include intricate mosaic floors and panels depicting mythological scenes such as Bellerophon riding Pegasus and spearing the Chimera. The Islamic section is housed in a former granary near the Porta da Ribeira, once the main access to Mértola's old port, and displays architectural elements, funerary steles, ceramics, metals, and glass objects. The museum offers a comprehensive insight into Mértola's cultural layers, from prehistoric times through Roman and Islamic periods to the early Christian era, emphasizing its role as a historical crossroads in southern Portugal.
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Tip: Visit during spring or autumn for pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for group visits or guided tours. Check the museum's official website for opening hours and any special exhibitions. Discounts are often available for students, seniors, and groups. Allow ample time to explore all three museum sites to fully appreciate the diverse historical periods represented.
Interesting facts
- •The Roman mosaics in the museum feature Byzantine influences and depict mythological scenes, including Bellerophon riding Pegasus and spearing the Chimera.
- •The Islamic art collection spans from the 9th to the 13th centuries and includes rare architectural elements and funerary steles.
- •The Paleo-Christian site contains a 6th-century baptistery and Roman funerary art excavated beneath a 16th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
History
Mértola's origins trace back to prehistoric times, with evidence of Neolithic habitation.
According to historical accounts, the town was founded by Phoenicians fleeing Tyre around the time of Alexander the Great and named Myrtilis, later evolving to Mértola.
During Roman times, it was known as Myrtilis Iulia and became an important settlement in the province of Lusitania.
The town flourished further under Islamic rule from the 9th to 13th centuries, becoming a significant cultural and commercial center.
Over centuries, Mértola's strategic location on the Guadiana River contributed to its diverse cultural heritage, which is reflected in the museum's archaeological collections.
Place Guide
Roman Museum and Villa Reconstruction3rd-4th century
Located in the Town Hall, this site features a partially reconstructed Roman villa from the 3rd and 4th centuries and a collection of mosaics with Byzantine artistic influences depicting mythological and other scenes. It also includes remains of Roman living quarters and guest houses (tabernae), highlighting Mértola's role as a Roman harbor city.
Islamic Art Museum9th-13th centuries
Housed in a former granary near the Porta da Ribeira, this section exhibits a diverse collection of Islamic artifacts from the 9th to 13th centuries, including ceramics, metals, glass, architectural elements, and funerary steles. It reflects four decades of archaeological research and conservation work in Mértola's Alcáçova area.
Paleo-Christian Site6th century (baptistery)
This area includes a Roman cryptoporticus and a 6th-century baptistery. It also houses Roman funerary art excavated beneath a small 16th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian, illustrating the continuity of religious practices from Roman paganism through early Christianity to later periods.
Contact
Phone: 286 610 109
