Santiago do Cacém Things to Do

3 more images

Funny how things stick in your mind and stand out above others. Here at Mirobriga we found what looked to be an abandonded workers shed that had fallen in on itself from neglect and disuse. Turns out that inside the building there were wall paintings and this was the building that had been constructed to "PROTECT" those paintings.
The Mirobriga authorities had made a proper decision to preserve these old works of art, but then let it crumble. Not only was it no longer protecting the wall paintings, you could see some of the structural struts that had broken poking INTO the paintings. At the entrance to the park you could see a nice new fancy museum and ticket office.....would not some of this money be better put to use actually PRESERVING what they want to sell you tickets for...
Mirobriga authorities, SHAME ON YOU.

4 more images

The Mirobriga ruins gives you ample place to let your imagination take you back to Roman times. Even though there are no complete structures left standing, you can still stroll through the baths area or over the bridge. They also have a museum which we did not have time to visit.
This link takes you to a map of the site, you can see the large grey building on the left, that is the museum and ticket office.
http://www.historvius.com/mirobriga-1248/

4 more images

The ruins of Mirobriga make a lovely afternoon or early morning trip, almost like a green park with the ruins popping up here and there through the green surroundings.
We enjoyed wandering a few hours here. If you want more of the actual history I have attached a link.

Mirobriga, just on the outskirts of Santiago de Cacem, is an impressive complex of Roman ruins site of the most important roman baths discovered so far in Portugal. The ancient city is believed to have been orginally a Celtic settlement from around 5th century BC, but which became heavily Romanised after the 1st century AD. There is a forum, and several temples, one which is dedicated to Venus. Remains of houses and stores can be seen. The public baths are well-preserved. There is also a hippodrome about 1 km away from the complex.

1 more image

Between Santiago do Cacem and Sines on the IC33 road, is the Badoca Safari Park, an area of 90 hectares of natural park where it's possible to see wildlife roaming freely. One can see the zebras mingling with the ostriches, with the giraffes just over there, or bump into a male peacock proudly displaying his fantastic tail. The park is divided into sections, such as the lake for the flamingos, ibis, and other birds, the park for the marabus, exotic birds, among others. To see the bigger wildlife, they take the people groups on a jeep for a tour. An interesting part is the feeding time of the birds of prey, which is done in the open. They have a restaurant, which serves reasonable fare.

The place is quite nice to spend a day in, and not just for the kids.

__________________________________________________

On a hill near Santiago do Cacem lies the site of a Roman city, Mirobriga, where excavations have already uncovered a forum, two temples, thermal baths and a large circus.roman ruins.
____________________________________________

__________________________________________________

The attractive main square is lined with fine 18th-century mansions built by rich landowners who sought refuge here from the heat of the Alentejo plains.
a lovely historic center.
____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

like most alentejo towns, Santiago obviously has a beautifull castle to visit along with the historic center.
unfortunetly the local authorithes had the misfortune iddea of turning it's interior in a cemetery. but soon to be transladate to a proper location, and giving the tourists the oportunity to visit a lovely castle.
____________________________________________