Abdulrhman Nusair (Egypt), Antonia Konstantiou (Greece), Arnika Blount (New Zealand), Khizer Laghari (Pakistan), Viviana Dionisio (Italy)

Coming into Mértola as part of our internship for the Erasmus Joint Master Programme in Architecture, Landscape, and Archaeology was an unforgettable experience. As international students from five different countries we thought that our internship work would be all that we would do for the two months of our stay. Instead, it was so much more. Mértola is one of a kind, a small town in a beautiful setting with a dense cultural and historic palimpsest. We are in debt to the generous people of the Campo Arqueológico de Mértola who not only shared with us their deep knowledge but also welcomed us into their lives.

The internship itself, surveying the outer wall of the Cryptoportico and assembling a synthetic cartography of the archaeological sites of Mértola, was didactic and a chance to get to know the history of the town. The extensive library of the Casa Amarela, in combination with the knowledge of the staff of the Campo who have been living and working in Mértola for many years, proved to be the most helpful part for both our internships and the development of our thesis. 

Our supervisor, Virgílio Lopes, is profoundly knowledgeable, very kind, and highly enthusiastic about his work. He spent days showing us the town and its landscape, sharing his studies in detail, and passing on his passion for the territory. He guided us through our archaeological survey work and provided us with all we might require. The Campo Arqueológico team were equally welcoming and supportive. Marco Fernandes, Susana Gómez Martínez, and Maria de Fátima Palma spent hours with us developing our thesis topics. Rita Castilho, Sandra Tonecas Candeias, Clara Rodrigues, Andreia Rodrigues, and Marta Diaz made us feel at home in a way that we’ll never forget. 

The Jeep tours that Virgílio took us on through the Alentejan countryside were among the most interesting and enjoyable adventures. He was eager to show us everything that Mértola has to offer (which is a lot) and for us to experience not only the rich archaeological and historical context but also the natural diversity of its setting. The visits to the Mina de Sāo Domingos, Pulo do Lobo and the trip to the Ancient Roman routes are among the many memories that will stay with us for a long time.

We came to Mértola for a very specific reason, which was to do an internship at Campo Arqueológico de Mértola and to prepare for our thesis here, but this journey ultimately became an amazing experience at so many different levels. From the great connection with nature, to the complex history of the town and the amazing people that we are pleased to have met and worked with. We are deeply thankful to everyone who has helped us to have this unforgettable experience. It is true that once you come to Mértola you want to come back again.