Citânia of São Julião de Caldelas

Category: Archaeology > Citânia

District: Braga > Vila Verde > São Julião de Caldelas

Location

Situated on the summit of Mount São Julião, the Citânia dominates the landscape, offering a privileged view over the final part of the fertile Homem Valley. It is located in the parish of São Julião de Caldelas, in the municipality of Vila Verde, in the district of Braga. Its elevated and isolated position, at the top of a spur, was strategic for its ancient inhabitants and, currently, allows for a wide observation of the surrounding nature. At the highest point of the mount, a small hermitage dedicated to São Julião stands.

A Millennia-Old History

The Citânia de São Julião de Caldelas is a fortified settlement with a history spanning several millennia. Although there are traces of even older occupation, its monumentalization and definitive occupation began approximately 3000 years ago, around the 10th or 9th century BC. The settlement grew significantly, reaching its peak at the beginning of our era, protected by four concentric lines of walls. The site continued to be inhabited, apparently without interruptions, until the 15th century. Given its historical and archaeological importance, it is classified as a Property of Public Interest.

The Structures and Ancient Life

Walking through the Citânia, it is possible to observe the remains of ancient structures, namely the ruins of houses, mostly circular in plan and built with well-worked granite blocks. Its imposing stone walls, some with indications of turrets, reveal the grandeur of its defenses. Archaeological excavations carried out over the years have revealed much about the daily life of its inhabitants. Among the findings are ceramic utensils, stone tools, evidence of metalwork, such as copper and bronze casting, and even Roman coins. These vestiges demonstrate the diversity of economic activities and the way of life in this ancient community. Part of the collected heritage can be appreciated at the Pio XII Museum in Braga.

The Warrior Statue and Local Legends

One of the most notable finds at the Citânia was the broken statue of a Gallaecian warrior, approximately one and a half meters tall. This representation of great plastic quality bore the Latin inscription "Malceino Dovilonis F" on its shield, meaning "Malceino, son of Dovilonis". It is believed that this warrior, possibly a chief, governed the settlement after the arrival of the Romans, and his statue symbolizes the culture and leadership of the time.

In addition to its archaeological richness, the Citânia de São Julião is shrouded in various popular legends, some with millennial roots. The "Cova da Moura" (Moorish Woman's Cave), a natural cave on the site, is often associated with the presence of "enchanted Moorish women" who would weave gold, and stories about a secret tunnel connecting the citânia to the Homem River. There is also talk of a "golden bell" hidden between São Julião and neighboring villages. These popular narratives add a touch of mystery and fascination to a visit to the site.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt