Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Villages

Tombs Excavated in the Rock/Rupestrian Necropolis

Sortelha

Sortelha

Around the two churches in Sortelha, especially the Church of Mercy, outside the gates, there are still abundant traces of tombs excavated in the rock. The churchyards and surroundings of the churches were, for many centuries, the chosen places for the burial of the deceased. Some of the graves were opened in the granitic outcrop and some have survived well preserved, with anthropomorphic (human), oval or rectangular shapes. Their sizes vary and could have used for adults or children, like the one that is preserved next to the Main Parish Church. Many of them were identified by a circular stone stele, and may present carved Christian symbols.