Colmeal Settlement

Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement

District: Guarda > Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo > Colmeal > Colmeal Countryside Hotel

Location

Situated in the district of Guarda, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, the Village of Colmeal is located in the locality of Colmeal, with a particular proximity to the Colmeal Countryside Hotel. This site occupies an elevated position, frequently chosen by ancient communities for its strategic advantage and visual dominance over the surrounding landscape. The environment is markedly rural, characterized by tranquility and the vastness of horizons stretching across the Beira Interior region, providing a natural setting of great serenity.

Traces of a Distant Past

The Village of Colmeal reveals the vestiges of a settlement that once flourished in this landscape. Although centuries have shaped its form, it is still possible to discern the outlines of ancient defensive structures, such as walls or housing foundations, which bear witness to the life and needs of the communities that settled here. These vestiges tell a story of human permanence and adaptation to a territory, where security and the ability to observe the environment were crucial for subsistence.

Life in the Settlement

The configuration of this type of settlement, by its robust nature, suggests a community organization focused on defense and the exploitation of local resources. The choice of the site was not random, but dictated by its topographical prominence, which allowed for extended visual control and better protection against potential threats. One can glimpse a daily life where community living, agriculture, and pastoralism intertwined with the constant need for vigilance, marking the rhythm of existence for its ancient inhabitants.

Landscape and Memory

A visit to the Village of Colmeal offers an opportunity for immersion in the memory of a distant time. The site invites reflection on human resilience and how ancient civilizations related to their environment. Alongside its historical importance, the surrounding natural scenery, with its quietness and vastness, contributes to a contemplative experience, allowing visitors to feel the depth of history engraved in the landscape itself.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldeia_do_Colmeal

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