Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Braga > Guimarães > Briteiros > Briteiros São Salvador e Briteiros Santa Leocádia
Located in the heart of Minho, in the region of Briteiros, municipality of Guimarães and district of Braga, the Citânia de Briteiros rises in a dominant position. Its geographical setting provides an immersive experience, with unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, which stretches across verdant valleys and distant hills. The site benefits from a serene natural environment, inviting contemplation of the scenic beauty of Northern Portugal.
Its strategic location, atop a hill, is not merely scenic; it reflects the choice of its ancient inhabitants, who found here a privileged vantage point for observation and defense, making the visit a journey through time and territory.
The Citânia de Briteiros represents one of the most remarkable fortified settlements of the Iron Age in the Iberian Peninsula. Erected by Castro communities more than two thousand years ago, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into pre-Roman life in the region. Its ruins tell the story of an organized people who inhabited these lands before the arrival of the Romans, and whose culture left deep marks on the landscape.
The importance of this site lies in its remarkable preservation and the richness of the vestiges that have been discovered, allowing visitors to better understand the customs, construction techniques, and social organization of the civilizations that flourished here.
As one walks through the Citânia, it is possible to observe the complex organization of the ancient settlement. Standing out are its imposing defensive walls, built in concentric rings that delimited the different areas of the settlement. Inside, the cobbled streets and paths reveal a remarkable urban planning for the era.
The dwellings, many of which have been rebuilt and preserved, mostly feature a circular plan, characteristic of Castro architecture, although some rectangular structures are also found, which may indicate later occupation phases or external influences. Besides the houses, the remains of public baths are visible, sophisticated structures that attest to an advanced level of comfort and social organization for the period.
Walking along the paths of Citânia de Briteiros is like traveling back in time, allowing visitors to imagine the daily life of its ancient inhabitants. The atmosphere, marked by calm and expansive views, invites reflection on the communal life that unfolded here, from domestic and artisanal activities to moments of socializing and defense.
The site is a true open book on Portuguese prehistory and protohistory, where every stone, every ruin, whispers stories of a distant past, making the visit experience profoundly enriching and evocative. It is a space where nature and history intertwine harmoniously, providing a unique perspective on the cultural roots of the region.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citânia_de_Briteiros
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.528167,-8.315556
Coordinates DMS: 41°31'41.4"N 08°18'56.0"W
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