Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Lisboa > Azambuja > Vila Nova de São Pedro
The Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro stands majestically on a plateau, at an altitude of about 100 meters, offering remarkable strategic visibility over the surrounding landscape. This privileged and naturally defensible position was crucial for its ancient inhabitants.
Located in Torre de Penalva, in the former parish of Vila Nova de São Pedro, which is now part of the Union of Parishes of Manique do Intendente, Vila Nova de São Pedro, and Maçussa, this important archaeological site belongs to the municipality of Azambuja, in the district of Lisbon. Its proximity to the Almoster River, a tributary of the Tagus River, facilitated communications and access to vital resources for the prehistoric community that settled here.
This fortified settlement was a vital centre during a long period of Prehistory, approximately between 2600 BC and 1300 BC. Classified as a National Monument since 1971, the Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro is an exceptional testament to the sophistication of the communities that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula during the Copper Age.
The site is distinguished by its impressive stone fortifications, which reveal a deep knowledge of defensive engineering for the time. This location was the stage for important cultural developments, reflecting interactions and influences from other peninsular regions.
The structure of the Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro is notable for its defensive complexity. The settlement is surrounded by a central defensive structure, which is complemented by two concentric outer walls. These walls, built with large stones, effectively enclosed and protected the inner area of the settlement, demonstrating the inhabitants' concern for security.
This complex network of natural and man-made defenses gives the site an imposing character and underscores the strategic importance the hillfort held in the ancient landscape.
Archaeological excavations at the Castro of Vila Nova de São Pedro have revealed a wealth of artifacts that offer a window into the life and customs of its former residents. Among the most significant finds are unique cultural elements, such as lunulae and ritual bowls, which point to specific practices and symbolisms of the era.
The site was, in particular, a radiating centre for the cultural phenomenon known as the Bell Beaker culture, which spread across a vast part of Europe. From around 1800 BC, the hillfort began to lose its prominence as new centres of power, such as the El Argar civilization, emerged in the Iberian Peninsula.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castro_de_Vila_Nova_de_São_Pedro
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.219759843278666,-8.840343991442673
Coordinates DMS: 39°13'11.1"N 08°50'25.2"W
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