Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Braga > Vila Verde > Moure
Located in Moure, Vila Verde municipality, this 'castro' (hill fort) stands on top of a spur dominating the Rojão Stream, a tributary of the Homem River. The surroundings are characterized by low-lying herbaceous and grassy vegetation, giving the hill a discreet yet well-integrated silhouette within the rural landscape.
Its recessed position relative to the valley offers a wide perspective over the Cávado plain, without losing the charm of an isolated site. Access is via rural paths starting near the old Barbudo church, indicating a gentle walk through the countryside to the highest point.
The Castro de Barbudo originated between the 9th and 8th centuries BC and remained in use, with different phases of occupation, until the 13th century AD. During Romanization, it underwent adaptations, but its most striking feature remains: the four lines of walls built from dry-laid, irregular granite masonry, defining wide, levelled platforms.
Inside these walls, vestiges of circular-plan constructions are observed, some with small vestibule areas, erected with two facings of granite blocks and filled with small stones. Archaeological interventions have revealed materials ranging from Iron Age pottery fragments to bronze pinheads and a rare example of a Roman coin from the reign of Antoninus Pius.
From the top of Monte do Castelo, an open panorama unfolds, where the green of the cultivated fields and the winding courses of the water extend to the horizon. The light changes with the season, intensifying the contrast between the light granite of the walls and the surrounding carpet of vegetation.
This tranquil environment invites contemplation of the archaeological vestiges within a natural setting, free from modern infrastructure distractions. The sense of isolation reinforces the connection between the silent past of the proto-historic settlement and the serenity of the rural present.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_do_Castelo_(Rossas)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.652468584690624,-8.470183926475103
Coordinates DMS: 41°39'8.9"N 08°28'12.7"W
Weather Moure
On-duty Pharmacy Moure
