Tongobriga - Archaeological Station of Freixo

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Marco de Canaveses > Freixo

Location

The Freixo Archaeological Station, known as Tongobriga, is located in the village of Freixo, in the municipality of Marco de Canaveses. Its extensive ruins are spread over a considerable area, partially encompassing the modern village. The archaeological site is situated on a hill and its slopes, offering a glimpse of the landscape that shaped life in this ancient settlement.

The dispersion of archaeological remains across approximately 15 hectares offers a discovery experience, with ancient structures coexisting with the fabric of the current village. This characteristic gives the site a unique dimension, where its millennial history singularly integrates into the contemporary environment.

Millennial Past

Tongobriga has its roots in a proto-historic settlement, a castro (hillfort) that predated the arrival of the Romans. It was upon this foundation that the Roman city of Tongobriga developed, between the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD. Its growing importance led it to ascend to the status of civitas, a prominent urban center in the Roman province.

Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, Tongobriga's prestige endured, as attested by the presence of a 5th-century Paleochristian basilica. Archaeological work, which began in the 1980s, continues to unveil the complexity and richness of this site, allowing for a deep understanding of its life and evolution over centuries.

Discovering the Ancient Structures

Visitors can explore various clusters of ruins that reveal the organization of the ancient city. Particularly noteworthy is an extensive walled perimeter, spanning approximately 13 hectares, which encompassed pre-Roman and Roman dwellings built between the 1st and 5th centuries AD. Within this area, it is possible to observe the remains of houses and how the city expanded.

Outside the main perimeter, at the base of the hill, lie the most monumental structures: the forum and the Roman baths. The latter, dating from the 1st and 2nd centuries, impress with their size, featuring remains of areas such as the frigidarium (cold room), the natatio (open-air swimming pool with portico), and heated spaces. Nearby, there is also an unusual pre-Roman Castro-period bathhouse, excavated directly into a large granite rock, testament to the hygiene practices of the original inhabitants.

Perspectives on Daily Life

A visit to Tongobriga offers an opportunity to imagine the daily life of its ancient inhabitants. An exhibition dedicated to how integration into the Roman Empire transformed the way of life of these populations allows for an understanding of the cultural and social changes that occurred over the centuries. The various clusters of visitable ruins, which include not only public areas but also residential zones and necropolises, contribute to a comprehensive view of what Tongobriga once was.

Every vestige, from a wall fragment to a house foundation, tells a part of the story, inviting reflection on the resilience and adaptation of communities over time. Continuous archaeological research ensures that new discoveries will enrich the knowledge about this remarkable site.

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