Town of Terroso

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Póvoa de Varzim > Terroso > Cividade

Location

The Cividade de Terroso rises majestically atop Monte da Cividade, in the locality of Terroso, municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. Situated at an altitude of approximately 150 meters, this elevation offers a privileged perspective over the vast floodplain that extends to the sea. Its position, slightly to the east of the coastal city, provides a comprehensive view and a setting that highlights the strategic importance of this ancient settlement.

A Settlement with Millennial History

The Cividade de Terroso is a remarkable testament to the Castro Culture, a civilization that inhabited the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. This site was occupied for a long period, from the 8th or 9th century BC until the first centuries AD, revealing a continuity of life spanning over a thousand years. Known in the Middle Ages as "Montis Teroso" or "Civitas Teroso", the Cividade was one of the largest and most fortified Castro settlements, playing a central role in the proto-urban development of the region. Its strategic location, close to the sea, facilitated trade with Mediterranean peoples, granting it great prosperity. However, this wealth attracted the attention of Rome, leading to its destruction and subsequent Romanization, culminating in its gradual abandonment as populations moved to the coastal plain.

Defensive Architecture and Urban Organization

The settlement of Cividade de Terroso stands out for its robust defensive organization, comprising three lines of walls. The central area, the acropolis, was protected by a system of two parallel walls made of large granite blocks, erected without mortar, with the intermediate space filled with gravel. The walls, adapted to the uneven terrain of the hill, were more imposing on the more easily accessible flanks. Inside these defenses, it is possible to observe the remains of a well-planned urban structure. Paved streets, which intersected, divided the settlement into quadrants. Each of these areas comprised family units with several constructions, usually circular in shape, organized around a paved courtyard. Later, with Roman influence, quadrangular-plan buildings also appeared, reflecting new construction techniques and concepts.

Remains of Daily Life

Archaeological excavations at Cividade de Terroso have revealed a vast array of remains that provide a glimpse into the daily lives of its ancient inhabitants. The Castro people dedicated themselves to agriculture, cultivating cereals and legumes, but also supplemented their diet with wild fruit gathering and hunting. The proximity to the sea allowed for the collection of mollusks and the practice of fishing, as evidenced by the fishhooks and net weights found. Metallurgy was a significant activity, with the production of objects in iron, copper, and bronze. Pottery was also very common, producing ceramics with distinctive decorations. Weaving, essential for clothing, was widely practiced, evidenced by loom weights and spindle whorls. These findings illustrate a multifaceted community, adapted to its environment and with significant commercial contacts.

The Archaeological Value of the Site

The Cividade de Terroso is a site of great archaeological value, classified as a Public Interest Property since 1961. The first archaeological works, initiated in the early 20th century, and more systematic campaigns from the 1980s onwards, have contributed to uncovering the complexities of this settlement. A visit to the site allows one to walk among the ruins of the ancient houses and walls, imagining the life that thrived there millennia ago. There is an Interpretive Center that supports the visit, offering context and additional information about the discovered structures. Although the most significant artifacts are housed in the Póvoa de Varzim Municipal Museum, the Cividade itself provides an immersive experience in history, allowing visitors a direct connection with the roots and culture of the peoples who inhabited this region before the arrival of the Romans.

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