Category: Archaeology > Hillfort
District: Braga > Vila Nova de Famalicão > Pousada de Saramagos > Ramo
Situated in the locality of Pousada de Saramagos, in the Ramo area, and located within the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Castro das Eiras or Monte das Eiras stands as a point of historical and landscape interest in the district of Braga. Its elevated position offers a broad perspective over the natural surroundings, bestowing upon it an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, ideal for a journey through time.
The site integrates into a rural and serene landscape, where the presence of ancient structures harmonizes with the surrounding environment, inviting contemplation and immersion in the history of human occupation that unfolded there over millennia.
Monte das Eiras reveals itself as a site of profound historical significance, bearing witness to the presence of ancient communities that shaped the landscape of the Iberian Northwest. Originally, this location was inhabited by Castro culture populations, who chose this natural elevation to build their fortified settlements in the Iron Age. The defensive characteristics of its location were fundamental for the security and control of the surrounding territory.
With the arrival and dominance of the Roman Empire, the site experienced a new phase of occupation and transformation. The Roman presence is particularly notable and striking through the discovery and remains of its baths, a distinctive element that underscores the cultural assimilation and daily life imposed or adapted by the new occupants.
The bathhouse, or thermae, of Castro das Eiras is the hallmark of Roman occupation at the site, representing a notable example of Roman civilization's life in this region. These structures were not mere spaces for personal hygiene; they were vibrant centers of social life and leisure, where Romans met, discussed business and politics, exercised their bodies, and relaxed.
The architectural remains of the bathhouse offer a glimpse into the complexity and engineering inherent to them, with areas dedicated to cold baths (frigidarium), warm baths (tepidarium), and hot baths (caldarium), in addition to heating systems. Their presence at Monte das Eiras attests to the strategic importance of the site for the Romans, who established there a support point or a villa that included these facilities essential to their culture.
Visiting Castro das Eiras is to stroll through a space where the memory of time is etched into the landscape and stones. The archaeological remains of the castro and, in particular, the Roman baths, offer a unique opportunity to understand the different layers of occupation and the cultural transformations that occurred throughout history.
The site functions as a link between the past and the present, inviting its visitors to reflect on the persistence of human presence and the evolution of societies. It is a place that, in its quietude, speaks volumes about the ingenuity of the peoples who inhabited it and their ability to adapt and prosper in this corner of Portugal.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedra_Formosa#Pedra_Formosa_do_Castro_das_Eiras
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.43380272695363, -8.444890097191431
Coordinates DMS: 41°26'1.7"N 08°26'41.6"W
On-duty Pharmacy Pousada de Saramagos
