Category: Nature > Reserva natural
District: Guarda > Sabugal > Aldeia Velha > Sabugal Velho
Sabugal Velho is located in the parish of Aldeia Velha, in the municipality of Sabugal. The site occupies the top of a small hill, known as Cabeço da Senhora dos Prazeres, which rises to an altitude of 1019 meters. From here, one can see a vast area, visually dominating the plateau that stretches between Guarda and Sabugal, to the north. The surrounding landscape is characterized by schist, a predominant rock in the region.
The choice of this site for human settlement, since ancient times, was due both to its strategic point, which allowed extensive visual control, and to the richness of its resources. The vicinity is known for the presence of iron and tin veins, resources that were exploited by the communities that lived here throughout the centuries.
This place is a fundamental record of human presence in different eras. Archaeological investigations have revealed traces of two major phases of occupation. The first dates back to the first millennium BC, with communities from the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Later, between the 12th and 13th centuries, Sabugal Velho was inhabited again, witnessing the Leonese presence in these Riba-Côa lands. The importance of this site lies in its ability to offer a perspective on the proto-history of Beira Interior and the dynamics of the Christian reconquest in the region.
At Sabugal Velho, the ruins of a fortified medieval village are visible. The constructions, in a good state of conservation, are distributed across the top of the hill, protected by a ring of stones that outlined the slopes and by an outer rammed earth structure on the western slope. The layout of the settlement reveals careful organization, with an orthogonal plan. The rectangular schist houses lined along a main street, from which small, narrow transversal arteries branched off, shaping the cluster.
Archaeological work has allowed for the collection of diverse artifacts illustrating the daily life of the populations who lived in Sabugal Velho. From the oldest period, objects such as handmade and painted pottery, crucibles, chisels, fibulae, stone axes, glass paste beads, and saddle querns were found. From the medieval phase, notable findings include rotary querns, slag (indicating local metallurgy), horseshoes, rings, nails, a key, coins, and various pieces of domestic pottery. These findings provide a better understanding of the daily activities and cultural evolution of the inhabitants of this ancient settlement.
Sabugal Velho is not only a place of historical and archaeological value; it is also enveloped in a legend that adds a touch of mystery to its atmosphere. It is said that one of Inês de Castro's executioners found refuge in this place, seeking to escape the revenge of D. Pedro I. This popular tale connects the site to one of the most dramatic stories of Portuguese royalty, inviting imagination while exploring the ancient ruins.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.33427045, -6.89096035
Coordinates DMS: 40°20'3.4"N 06°53'27.5"W
On-duty Pharmacy Aldeia Velha
