Restoration works at Portimão’s 15th-century church uncover what may be traces of an old cemetery
What started as a routine repair job turned into a historical discovery this week, as construction workers stumbled upon human remains in the churchyard of Portimão’s historic Igreja Matriz.
The find came after part of a wall collapsed during recent storms that hit the region, a Portimão municipal council source told Lusa news agency. Reconstruction works ended up uncovering the skeletal remains which were buried beneath the surface, which prompted the involvement of an archaeological team.
“It is normal to find skeletal remains during works near churches, because they used to be used as cemeteries,” the source said. Still, the location of the bones in the churchyard means that a previously undocumented cemetery may have existed at the site.
So far, archaeologists have identified the remains of at least 12 individuals, though further excavations may reveal more, the council source added.
Built in the 15th century, the Igreja Matriz de Portimão sits atop one of the town’s highest points, within the walls of the old town. Known for its blend of architectural styles – from Gothic to Baroque – the church is one of the region’s most iconic religious landmarks.
