<< Our Photo Pages >> Pedra do Galo - Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature in Portugal in Évora
Submitted by Bak_teria on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 Page Views: 3270
Natural PlacesSite Name: Pedra do Galo Alternative Name: Pedra AlçadaCountry: Portugal Distrito: Évora Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Nearest Town: Alandroal Nearest Village: Santiago Maior
Latitude: 38.563867N Longitude: 7.506858W
Condition:
| 5 | Perfect |
| 4 | Almost Perfect |
| 3 | Reasonable but with some damage |
| 2 | Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site |
| 1 | Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks |
| 0 | No data. |
| -1 | Completely destroyed |
| 5 | Superb |
| 4 | Good |
| 3 | Ordinary |
| 2 | Not Good |
| 1 | Awful |
| 0 | No data. |
| 5 | Can be driven to, probably with disabled access |
| 4 | Short walk on a footpath |
| 3 | Requiring a bit more of a walk |
| 2 | A long walk |
| 1 | In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find |
| 0 | No data. |
| 5 | co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates |
| 4 | co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map |
| 3 | co-ordinates scaled from a bad map |
| 2 | co-ordinates of the nearest village |
| 1 | co-ordinates of the nearest town |
| 0 | no data |
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External Links:
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BrunoG would like to visit
Bak_teria visited on 28th Nov 2016 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 2
About the architecture and folklore
In the known archaeologic reference at Portal do Arqueólogo this monument is described as a possible menhir or as a natural outcrop consisting of two overlapping blocks that reach a height of about 10m x 6m wide. The well known portuguese archaeologist Manuel Calado had no doubt about its natural origins.
Once you get to the site there is no doubt that we are talking about a natural monument but the folklore and the ancient tales of the locals prove this is a special place since very ancient times.
The reference to the galo (rooster in Portuguese) in its name may have more than one explanation: testimonies say that a cock crowed from the top of this menhir, others say that in the past there was nailed an iron cock at the highest top. Pires Gonçalves, on the other hand, says that there was something made of iron in the top of the menhir, but this would be a cross, which, if confirmed, proves the religious character involved here and its subsequent Christianization.
Every time a monument is Christianized is a sign of a strong pagan ancestry. So, it seems consensual that the stone was once held to be holy, or otherwise, as a natural sanctuary, given its evocative form.
About the access
Prepare yourselves to do a very big walk. There is a sign near by the road, next to the village, that points your way to the direction of the big stone. It's a walk of 3 Km in a dirt road in the beautiful Alentejo landscape but it's well worth the effort.
Links and information sources (all texts written in portuguese)
- Portal do Arqueólogo
- Website Portugal Num Mapa
Aditional information:
- You are entering in private property but the access is possible.
- The entrance to the zone of the monuments may be blocked by fences that were essentially made to demarcate the land and not allow the escape of livestock. Usually there are spaces in the fences within these demarcated areas where the access is possible. When entering in demarcated land never forget to close the access gate of the location, you need to be very aware with this rule because cattle can escape.
- There are no signs prohibiting us from entering so the access can be open but be careful when you explore every time you see this red plaques that alert you for the Hunting Zones. Remind yourself that usually hunters can only hunt at selected hunting days (Thursdays, Sundays and on public holidays).
- If you see someone always ask permission to see the site.
- Always be sympathetic towards the locals.
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Nearby sites
Click here to view sites on an interactive map of the areaKey: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed
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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
5.8km N 350° Anta da Vinha* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
10.4km NNE 32° Sanctuáry a Endovélico Barrow Cemetery
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11.3km NNE 14° Rocha da Mina* Ancient Temple
12.3km NNW 338° Anta do Monte Branco* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
12.8km NNW 343° Anta do Vale de Anta* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
13.3km S 180° Cromeleque do Monte da Ribeira do Álamo* Stone Circle
13.4km SSE 168° Rocha dos Namorados* Standing Stone (Menhir)
14.1km SSW 193° Menires na Herdade dos Perdigões* Stone Circle
14.3km SSE 152° Menir de Santa Margarida* Standing Stone (Menhir)
14.3km SE 136° Menhir de Outeiro* Standing Stone (Menhir)
15.5km ENE 63° Sepulturas Medievais de Rosário* Rock Cut Tomb
15.5km SE 144° Anta 1 do Olival da Pega* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
15.6km SE 143° Anta 2 do Olival da Pega* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
15.6km SE 136° Menir da Bulhoa* Standing Stone (Menhir)
15.8km SSE 149° Menir do Barrocal* Standing Stone (Menhir)
15.9km SE 137° Anta da Belhôa* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
16.1km NNW 345° Anta da Herdade da Candieira* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
16.5km SE 138° Well of Telheiro* Holy Well or Sacred Spring
17.0km SE 136° Cromeleque do Xarez* Stone Circle
17.1km E 79° Anta de Santa Luzia* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
17.2km NW 321° Anta da Herdade das Casas Novas Burial Chamber or Dolmen
17.7km SW 216° Anta e Menir da Igreja de São Vicente do Pigeiro* Modern Stone Circle etc
17.7km NW 323° Anta 4 do Colmeeiro* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
18.1km S 174° Anta das Areias 1* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
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Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.