11/03/2026 - ‘ROTA – Mértola, the Last Port’ project unveiled to the public

The initiative will study archaeological remains along the banks of the River Guadiana, including surveys, excavations and the creation of online visitor routes

The ‘ROTA – Mértola, the Last Port’ project made its public debut. This ambitious initiative focuses on researching and enhancing the archaeological heritage of the Guadiana River in the section between Pomarão and Pulo do Lobo, within the municipality of Mértola.

The project involves surveying and studying archaeological remains along the Guadiana's banks to understand the river’s historical role as a navigable waterway and as a link between territories currently separated by the Portuguese-Spanish border.

Fieldwork includes archaeological and geophysical surveys, potential excavations, and the collection of oral testimonies from local communities. A documentary will also chronicle the different phases of the research.

The project’s results will also give rise to an interactive website offering virtual tours that explore the history and landscape of the Guadiana, allowing the public to virtually explore the identified heritage and appreciate the region’s cultural memory.

‘ROTA – Mértola, the Last Port’ is promoted by a consortium comprising ERA Arqueologia and the Mértola Municipal Council, and co-funded by the Promove Programme of the “la Caixa” Foundation.