Excavation History
The resort of Vilamoura, has evolved considerably in the 50+ years since breaking ground. Since the 1960’s, golf courses have been designed, a marina constructed and mix of hotels and residences. Yet, at the same time Vilamoura was raising from the soil, excavation was taking place to unearth a centuries-old settlement. Today, the Cerro da Villa Roman Ruins sits side-by-side with modern Vilamoura. Let’s look at how the archaeological site was discovered and excavated.
In the 1st to 5th centuries, the Algarve coast was a busy shipping route for goods moving between Rome and Lusitania (as Portugal was known at the time). On land that is now Vilamoura, Romans were supervising the production of agriculture products, from grains to processed fish. Cerro da Vila was at the heart of this activity as evidenced by a complex including a noble family villa, fish processing facility, public baths, support houses and a small port, built on a river inlet next to the property.
