City of Bagunte

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Vila do Conde > Bagunte

Location

The Cividade de Bagunte stands in the northeastern part of the Vila do Conde municipality, dominating the landscape from the Monte da Cividade. With an altitude of 206 meters, this elevated point offers views over the surrounding natural environment. Its position is strategic, marking the watershed that divides the river basins of the Este and Ave rivers, to the northwest and southeast, respectively. This elevation once allowed control over the entrance to the valleys of these rivers.

Origins and Historical Legacy

Known as an ancient settlement since the 18th century, the Cividade de Bagunte is an important testament to human occupation in the region, with a chronology spanning from the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. It originated as a pre-Roman settlement from the Iron Age, later being Romanized. This remarkable site was a significant population center in southern Gallaecia, playing a fundamental role in the connections between the communities that inhabited the area between the Douro and Cávado rivers. Due to its undeniable importance, the Cividade de Bagunte has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.

The Marks of a Settlement

The Cividade de Bagunte impresses with its vast dimensions, extending over approximately 20 to 24 hectares of archaeological interest. Its defenses are noteworthy, including a complex system of walls, with at least five lines of protection. Within these walls, the remains of residential structures can be observed, mostly of circular and rectangular plan, organized into apparent blocks. Archaeological excavations carried out at this site have revealed discoveries of great value, such as the famous "torques de Bagunte", a set of five silver jewels that attest to the artistic sophistication and importance of this ancient community.

Memory and Preservation

This site, rooted in collective memory, has been the scene of legends and stories passed down by local populations over the decades, such as that of the Enchanted Moor or a secret tunnel that would connect the cividade to the Ave River. More than a site of ancient remains, the Cividade de Bagunte is a space of constant preservation work. Archaeologists and researchers are dedicated to its study and the dissemination of the scientific knowledge acquired here. Recently, efforts have been made towards the environmental recovery of the site, with the planting of native species, a project that aims to "Give Life to the Cividade" and contribute to its biodiversity.

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