Alfarela Head

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Bragança > Torre de Moncorvo > Torre de Moncorvo

Location

The Cabeço de Alfarela is located in the town of Torre de Moncorvo, in the municipality of the same name. This historic site rises in a predominantly rural landscape, on a hill, with the Sabor River flowing to its left. It is a space surrounded by extensive agricultural lands, which give it a calm environment and a deep connection to the region's nature.

An Ancient Legacy

The Cabeço de Alfarela is a site of profound historical interest, revealing the layers of occupation that shaped this territory. It is a fortified settlement, known as a castro, whose origins date back to the Iron Age. This proto-urban cluster testifies to the presence of communities that settled here millennia ago, protected by their strategic location.

Over time, the site was later occupied by the Romans, who also left their mark. When exploring the Cabeço de Alfarela, it is still possible to glimpse the remains of ancient buildings and fragments of the walls that once delimited and protected this important settlement, inviting imagination about the lives of its ancestral inhabitants.

Strategic Role

Beyond its function as a settlement, the Cabeço de Alfarela acquired remarkable relevance as a military post during the Medieval Period. Its elevated and dominant position over the surrounding landscape gave it undeniable value for territorial surveillance and defense. It was a privileged observation point, capable of controlling access and movements in the region.

It is plausible that a watchtower existed at the site, fundamental for protection and communication at the time. This strategic role over the centuries highlights the enduring importance of the Cabeço de Alfarela, not only as a home but also as a crucial point in the defensive network of the past.

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