Besides being very enigmatic, Mesas do Castelinho not only helps us understand the early inhabitants of Portugal, but also how archaeology can be destructive when done with the wrong intentions. Nevertheless, it is still recognised as an important archaeological site, and the owner’s curiosity went ahead and brute force excavations went ahead to find the legendary gold of the Lizard Man.

There is a legend that says that a woman was invited by her neighbour to visit her house, but the visitor was not allowed to say the word “God”. The old lady led her visitor to her house, which was located underground. When entering, the visitor says richness: there was gold, silver and copper everywhere. Truly a hidden treasure! The most surprising part was when the visitor saw that the lady’s husband was half-man, half-lizard. Shocked by what she was seeing, she yelled “God!”, and the house crumbled, burying the house and all its riches there.

Locals believe that this legend took place in Mesas do Castelinho; therefore, in 1986, the place was checked with machines, destroying parts of the historical structure. However, nothing was found.

When spending time in Almodôvar, it is difficult to feel the influence of the legend in the town, which has small streets, a lovely street and houses built in the typical Alentejo style.

But we may still wonder, is the treasure of the Lizard Man still buried somewhere?