15 photos of the "most Portuguese village" where houses are sandwiched between stones (16 photos)

Houses in Monsanto are hidden behind huge stones, located on them and under them.





At the end of the thirties of the last century, Monsanta was named "the most Portuguese village." Indeed, at first glance it is not clear that it was she who was given such a title: in the end, not all houses in Portugal are built between stones. However, it is worth looking at Monsant closer, and everything becomes clear. Here are 14 photos of this unique village, which explain its high-profile status.

Monsanto stands on a mountain, and from here a stunning view opens up for many kilometers around.



From the 12th to the 19th century, Monsanto was the main city of the municipality





The local mountain has always been of great strategic importance, and people lived here long before the village was founded.



At the top are the ruins of a castle that collapsed in the 19th century.



The village remains the same as it was several centuries ago.



This is why Monsanta is considered a living museum.



The houses here are sandwiched between huge boulders, and some dwellings are cut into the rocks.



Sometimes the door is on the boulder itself



So why can this village be considered the most Portuguese?



The fact is that here you can see all the architectural styles that are popular in the country.



Most of the buildings here are in the Portuguese rustic style.



The church was rebuilt in the Manueline style.



There are also cottages in the Romanesque style, which was popular in the Middle Ages.



So Monsanto is a kind of Portuguese microcosm.



But still, the most surprising thing here is the houses sandwiched between the stones, agree?