Saint Juzenda Hill Fort

Category: Archaeology > Hillfort

District: Bragança > Mirandela > Múrias > Gandariças

Location

The Castro de São Juzenda rises in a prominent position, characteristic of ancient fortified settlements, offering a privileged perspective over the surrounding landscape. Located in the municipality of Mirandela, in the locality of Múrias, more precisely in Gandariças, this place invites immersion in the nature and history of the region. Its elevation provides a wide and tranquil visual setting, typical of the Bragança district, where horizons stretch across valleys and mountains.

The unobstructed view obtained from the top of Castro de São Juzenda is an invitation to contemplate the serenity of the natural environment. The surroundings are marked by the tranquility of the countryside, where one can breathe pure air and enjoy the quietness, far from the hustle and bustle of urban centers, allowing a genuine connection with the Trás-os-Montes landscape.

Ancient Legacy and Strategy

This archaeological site is a silent testimony to communities that inhabited these lands millennia ago, long before the arrival of the Romans on the Iberian Peninsula. The Castro de São Juzenda represents a type of Iron Age fortified settlement, designed with a clear defensive purpose, utilizing the natural topography to ensure the safety of its inhabitants. The choice of its location was not random, reflecting a deep knowledge of the terrain and the need for protection against potential threats.

The vestiges found here, though sometimes discreet, allow a glimpse into the organization and daily life of these ancient populations. It was a place where community life developed, agriculture and pastoralism were practiced, and the region's cultural identity was forged, adapted to the conditions of the territory. The very structure of the site suggests an organized society, capable of building and maintaining robust defenses for its subsistence.

Vestiges and Environment

Upon traversing the site, it is possible to identify the remaining structures that delineated the settlement, such as the ancient walls or the foundations of dwellings. Although time and the elements have shaped these constructions, their presence invites imagination about the life that once thrived here. The austerity and resilience of these vestiges are a reminder of the remote past etched into the landscape, inviting reflection on human persistence throughout the ages.

The surrounding environment of the Castro de São Juzenda is remarkably tranquil, ideal for those seeking serene contact with nature and a break from the hustle and bustle. The site allows for an experience of introspection, where visitors can contemplate not only the vestiges of antiquity, but also the natural beauty of the Trás-os-Montes region, with its characteristic flora and fauna, breathing pure air and enjoying the quietness of the Bragança countryside.

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