Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Braga > Esposende > Vila Chã
The Castro de São Lourenço is located on the hill of the same name, in the parish of Vila Chã, municipality of Esposende. Rising approximately 200 meters above sea level, this 'castro' (fortified settlement) occupies one of the granite spurs that form the region's fossil cliff. Its elevated position offers stunning and unobstructed views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean, allowing for a vast stretch of the coast to be seen.
This fortified settlement is a remarkable archaeological site with vestiges dating back to the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, around the 4th century BC. Castro de São Lourenço witnessed remarkable continuity of human presence, with various phases of occupation, including a significant period of Romanization that extended until the 4th century AD. After a period of abandonment, the hill was reoccupied around the 14th century, when a small medieval defensive system was built, transforming the site into a kind of "small castle".
Classified as a Public Interest Property, this site allows visitors to immerse themselves in a journey through time and understand the complex history of the region, marked by different cultures and ways of life over millennia.
By exploring Castro de São Lourenço, it is possible to imagine the daily life of the communities that lived here. Archaeological excavations have revealed an urban organization adapted to the hillside's inclination, with houses built on terraces. You can observe the ruins of dwellings, predominantly circular or sub-rectangular in plan, many of them grouped into family units, delimited by walls.
Between the ancient houses, there were paved areas with flagstones, forming small streets and common areas, probably used for various daily activities. Some of the residential structures have undergone restoration work, providing visitors with a clearer perception of what the original constructions and the layout of the 'castreja' village would have been like.
The protection of the settlement was ensured by an impressive defensive system, characterized by three lines of walls. Even today, it is possible to observe the vestiges of these robust stone structures that stood to protect the inhabitants from external threats.
Excavation works, which have continued for several decades, have revealed a vast quantity of artifacts that offer a glimpse into the life and commercial exchanges of the time. Ceramic pieces, Roman coins, and various daily utensils were discovered. The most significant and informative objects are exhibited at the Municipal Museum of Esposende, where the history of the 'castro' can be further explored through the collections displayed there.
In addition to its remarkable historical and archaeological value, Castro de São Lourenço offers an environment of rare natural beauty and an atmosphere of great serenity. The site is an excellent natural viewpoint over the coastline and the mouth of the Cávado river, providing wide and unobstructed views.
It is an ideal place for a moment of pause, where one can enjoy the calm provided by the hill, contemplate the surrounding nature, and let the imagination travel through time, envisioning the lives that unfolded in this place over millennia.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.5572712,-8.760395
Coordinates DMS: 41°33'26.2"N 08°45'37.4"W
Weather Vila Chã
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Chã
