In regards to archaeology, the prolonged Roman presence in the Algarve left remains of considerable importance. As in the case of Cerro da Vila (Vilamoura), Milreu (Estoi) or Abicada (Portimao). The archaeological site of Cerro da Vila is located in the Avenue of the same name, near the marina of Vilamoura. In the fertile old Marsh, at less than 500 metres from the coast, stood a Roman villa, converted into the 3rd century at factory of canned fish, the garum, made from offal of fish, molluscs and plants of the swamp. This area was occupied from the 1st century until came the barbarians of Northern Europe in the 5th century. Remains that laid bare the excavations initiated in 1964 include spas from hot springs, ponds with their respective pipes for fish and mosaics.
The magnificent archaeological findings, which continue even today, aroused great admiration are saved in a small nearby Museum. In 1930 he was discovered another Roman villae of the centuries I and II near Portimao, in Quinta da Abicada here also built tanks for the manufacture of canned fish. To get there, we must follow EN 125 national road from Faro to Portimao and rotate the left six kilometers before arriving at the latter, in direction of Figueira. Crossing the railroad tracks and following a dirt road between cultivated fields. You will find the villae facing you, along the banks of the River Farelo and Senhora do Verde. The archaeological Center of Milreu is on the road that will Bras de Alportel, Estoi near Faro, is another built Roman villae in the 1st and 2nd centuries. He started small asa farm and eventually transformed into a luxurious country house. Of the primitive House farming barely is nothing.
However, even they might be remnants of the peristyle of the recreation area, with white marble columns surrounding a swimming pool. Decoration, basically centered on the water, is also found in the hot springs that were used for cold, warm or hot water baths. In this place was built in the 4th century a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of water. It’s the only exemplary covered in the Iberian Peninsula where you can admire small drawings of fish and oval shapes of seashells. It was subsequently converted into Paleo-Christian basilica and mosque.