Serra de Santa Justa transforms into a living Roman settlement this May 15-18, showcasing Valongo's heritage as the Empire's crucial mining center. Visitors will journey 2,000 years back in time through gladiatorial spectacles, ancient craftsmanship demonstrations, and torchlit celebrations of Portugal's golden past.

From May 15 to 18, 2025, the rugged slopes of Serra de Santa Justa in northern Portugal will transform into a living tribute to Roman history during the inaugural Valongo Romano festival. This free-admission event, organized by Valongo Municipality, resurrects the region’s two-millennia-old identity as Vallis Longus (Long Valley)-a critical gold-mining hub for the Roman Empire. Archaeological evidence confirms Valongo hosted one of the largest Roman mining complexes, with underground tunnels spanning over 20 km², now recognized as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Visitors will traverse reconstructed Roman military camps and Celtic villages, where artisans demonstrate ancient techniques like coin minting and helmet forging. The arena will echo with gladiatorial combat reenactments, while nightly spectacles such as Vallis Longus - Terra Aurea blend fire dancing and projected visuals to recount the area’s mining history. Interactive workshops allow participants to craft pottery replicas or Roman oil lamps, bridging past and present through hands-on learning.

Situated just 10 km east of Porto, Valongo offers seamless access via a 21-minute suburban train ride from São Bento Station. The festival site features a Tabernae food court serving Roman-inspired fare like moretum (herb cheese) and wines made using ancient viticulture methods. While accommodations in nearby Porto cater to all budgets, day-trippers can extend their journey with guided tours of Santa Justa’s preserved mine shafts or hikes along 540-million-year-old Paleozoic trails.

Mayor José Manuel Ribeiro underscores the event’s mission: “We’re reactivating history to inspire sustainable futures. These mines once fueled an empire-now they teach us about resource stewardship.” With twilight torch processions, artisan markets, and theatrical street performances, Valongo Romano transcends nostalgia, offering a dynamic dialogue between antiquity and modernity. As the final fire show Ignis Deum illuminates the Serra on May 18, visitors will carry home more than memories-they’ll inherit a story etched in stone, ore, and flame.

Dates: 15–18 May 2025

Location: Serra de Santa Justa, Valongo, Portugal

Admission: Free

Transport: Regular trains from Porto (€2–3), ride-sharing options (€3 from Porto center)