PR6 São Miguel de Amêndoa Castro Trail

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Castelo Branco > Vila de Rei > Vila de Rei > Castro de São Miguel de Amêndoa

Location

The Castro of São Miguel de Amêndoa, an integral part of the municipality of Vila de Rei, stands on an isolated and steep hill of the Serra da Ladeira or São Miguel. Situated at an altitude of approximately 497 meters, this location offers a strategic perspective and unobstructed views over the basins of the Tejo, Zêzere, and Ocreza rivers.

Its prominent position at the top and on the slope of the São Miguel hill, with an east slope that descends abruptly, highlights its historical importance as a point of control and observation. At the highest point, a geodesic marker can be found.

Millennia of Occupation

The history of the Castro of São Miguel de Amêndoa reveals a human presence spanning millennia. Classified as a National Monument, this fortified settlement dates back to the Iron Age, but archaeological investigations suggest an initial occupation that may be as old as the Neolithic, attested by the discovery of an idol from that period.

Later, between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, the site was influenced by the process of Romanization. Surprisingly, remains such as a fragment of a Visigothic belt buckle indicate that the occupation of this castro persisted until the 6th and 7th centuries AD, marking the continuity of life at this strategic point throughout different eras.

The Settlement Structure

The fortified settlement of the Castro of São Miguel de Amêndoa was protected by a system of irregularly quadrangular walls, built with granite and dry stone masonry. Although their continuity is now discontinuous, in some sections it is still possible to observe the foundations of these walls, which could reach about two meters in thickness.

Inside and outside these defenses, there were about fifty habitation structures. These houses, predominantly square and rectangular in plan, showed the particularity of having two to three divisions. The presence of a rectangular building linked to the northwest area of the fortification suggests the existence of a possible citadel, underlining the complexity of this ancient settlement.

Archaeological Discoveries

The various archaeological campaigns carried out at the Castro of São Miguel de Amêndoa allowed for the recovery of valuable movable finds. Among the finds, numerous ceramic fragments stand out, including vessels with necks and handles, sometimes decorated with fingerprints.

Fragments of bronze and iron artifacts were also found, contributing to the study of daily activities and metallurgical techniques of the era. The discovery of a fragment of a Visigothic belt buckle is particularly relevant, offering a window into the cultural influences and Visigothic presence at the site.

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