Castro de Segovia

Category: Archaeology > Hillfort

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova

Location

The Castro de Segóvia is strategically positioned in the landscape of the municipality of Elvas, in the district of Portalegre, specifically in the parish of Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova. This ancient settlement occupies an elevated position, characteristic of old fortified settlements, offering a privileged perspective of the surrounding Alentejo countryside. Its placement on a hilltop is a testament to the defensive concerns of the communities that settled here millennia ago, allowing them to visually control the surrounding valleys and access routes.

Testimony of Remote Times

The Castro de Segóvia is an important archaeological site that transports us to the earliest periods of human presence in the region. It represents a type of fortified settlement that flourished in Portugal, particularly during the Iron Age, with occupation often extending to the period of Romanization. Its existence underscores the long history of occupation and transformation of the territory of Elvas, revealing how ancient communities chose and adapted the environment for their living and defense needs.

Vestiges and Characterization

Although the visible vestiges on the surface may be discreet to a less trained eye, the Castro de Segóvia preserves the evidence of a residential and defensive structure. It is a site where, through archaeology, the social and economic organization of its ancient inhabitants is understood. The presence of a castro suggests the existence of defensive walls or ramparts, circular or rectangular dwellings, and possibly water reservoirs or areas for communal work. Its investigation allows for the unveiling of the customs, construction techniques, and daily life of the pre-Roman populations who inhabited this area of Alentejo.

Landscape Setting

A visit to the Castro de Segóvia is not limited to archaeological appreciation; it is also an opportunity to contemplate the surrounding landscape. The site offers a wide and unobstructed view, typical of the Alentejo hilltops, characterized by plains interspersed with gentle elevations, where natural vegetation blends with the agricultural landscape. This serene environment allows for a connection with the past and an appreciation of the region's natural beauty, highlighting the strategic choice made by ancient communities for their settlement, combining security with proximity to natural resources.

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