Category: Archaeology > Hillfort
District: Porto > Santo Tirso > Monte Córdova > Monte Padrão
Situated in Monte Córdova, in the municipality of Santo Tirso, the Castro de Monte Padrão rises majestically from one of the highest points in the area. Its strategic placement on a natural spur offers an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape, characterized by dense vegetation of pine and eucalyptus trees, and through which the Leça River meanders.
This location, though rural and isolated, benefits from its prominent position, which once guaranteed extensive visual dominion and a defensive advantage. The natural surroundings lend it a serene atmosphere, conducive to discovery and contemplation of history and landscape.
The Castro de Monte Padrão represents a remarkable testament to continuous human occupation dating back to the 9th century BC. This fortified settlement, one of the oldest in the region, remained active and inhabited from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages, revealing centuries of history and cultural evolution. Its importance is underscored by its classification as a National Monument since 1910.
The first historical references to the castro as an archaeological ruin date back to the 17th century, and archaeological excavations, initiated in the 1950s and resumed in 1985, have been unveiling the richness of its past, allowing for a deep understanding of the life and social structures of the communities that settled here.
The ruins of the Castro de Monte Padrão offer a glimpse into the complexity of life in this ancient settlement. Although originally defended by three lines of walls, today only a section of the first rampart remains visible. These fortifications were constructed with large, dry-stone blocks, reflecting the engineering techniques of the time.
In the heart of the settlement, on the central platform, vestiges of various dwellings can be observed. Initially predominantly circular in plan, these structures evolved with the arrival of Roman influence into larger houses with rectangular and quadrangular plans. A notable feature is the presence of a Domus, a residence with a paved courtyard and a portico, indicating the strong Romanization of the site and the transformations in the inhabitants' way of life.
Beyond its archaeological value, the Castro de Monte Padrão holds a profound spiritual and symbolic connection with the community of Santo Tirso. In the highest area of the castro, superimposed on older structures, stands a chapel. This chapel, whose foundation dates back to the Early Middle Ages, was dedicated to São Rosendo, a figure of great importance to local history and Christianity in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula.
Next to the chapel, there is an inhumation necropolis, composed of sub-rectangular tombs built with granite slabs. These funerary remains complement the historical setting and evoke the memory of the generations who lived and were buried in this place of great significance.
Successive archaeological campaigns at the Castro de Monte Padrão have revealed a vast collection of artifacts that offer a glimpse into the daily lives and cultural exchanges of its populations over the millennia. From the Late Bronze Age, polished axes, knives, and scrapers, as well as characteristic pottery of the period, have been recovered.
Vestiges from the Iron Age and the Roman period include a variety of ceramic pieces, amphorae, glassware, beads, oil lamps, brooches, and other ornamental objects made of bronze and iron. From the medieval period, metal objects, coins, and pottery fragments were discovered, some decorated with figurative and phytomorphic motifs. These important finds are currently exhibited and under study at the Museu Abade de Pedrosa, in Santo Tirso.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.31270874, -8.4493009133333
Coordinates DMS: 41°18'45.8"N 08°26'57.5"W
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