Idanha-a-Velha — once the Roman city Civitas Igaeditanorum — retains a medieval-citadel feel and major archaeological remains including Roman baths, baptisteries and a former forum. Today it hosts museums, tourist accommodation, research projects and a free-WiFi, accessible-networked infrastructure as part of its ongoing revitalisation.
Community characteristics
Among the modest houses, there are many remains of the ancient Roman city, the civitas Igaeditanorum. A temple at the top of the forum, some houses with courtyards and even a large public baths building have been identified in this meander of the river Pônsul. At the end of the Empire, a city in transformation, walled in, adopted a new religion and two baptisteries from that remote period are among the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula. It has infrastructures for accommodation and spaces for museums and visits to archaeological sites, while important scientific research projects are underway.
Community strengths and smartness
The Historical Village of Idanha-a-Velha celebrates multiculturalism, which is reflected in its vast heritage, which shows the culture of different peoples dating back to the time of Ancient Rome, being part of the crossroads of trade routes in the Mediterranean. Because of its heritage and the importance of its history, this village has successively been the stage for the work of the Scientific and Technological System, which is also linked to research into the cultivation of olive groves and the soil, as it is an ancient ecosystem, in order to replicate the good practices still visible in the "farm to fork" system. This work has been carried out through patronage which, in addition to private initiative, also includes the participation of the Municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, the community, local associations and the AHP-ADT. The Historic Village of Idanha-a-Velha has a wireless network for free use in public spaces and has developed actions in the field of physical and digital accessibility, two networking projects promoted by the AHP-ADT with the 10 municipalities that make part of the Historic Villages of Portugal Network.
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