Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Santarém > Mação > Casas da Ribeira
Castelo Velho or Castelo Velho do Caratão rises majestically in a strategic and elevated position, in the locality of Casas da Ribeira, belonging to the municipality of Mação, in the district of Santarém. This remarkable site is nestled in a landscape of great natural beauty, dominating the horizon and offering expansive views over the surrounding valleys.
Its implantation on the top of a hill provides a privileged perspective over the surroundings, giving it an aura of isolation and tranquility, conducive to the contemplation of nature and the imagination about the lives that unfolded there millennia ago. The landscape surrounding it is characterized by dense vegetation, typical of the region, which contributes to the sensation of a return to a remote time.
Castelo Velho do Caratão is a testament to ancient human presence in this region. The vestiges found here are echoes of a fortified settlement that existed long before the formation of Portugal, dating from proto-historic periods. This site was chosen for its natural defensive capability and the visual control it provided over the access routes and resources of the surrounding area.
Although time and the elements have significantly altered the original structures, it is possible to glimpse the contours of its ancient occupation. Careful observation of the terrain may reveal indications of the walls that once protected its inhabitants, inviting reflection on the ingenuity of the communities that settled and prospered here in an environment that today seems so untouched.
A visit to Castelo Velho do Caratão provides not only a journey through time, but also an immersive experience in the wild nature that is little altered. The environment surrounding the site is one of great quietness, punctuated only by the sounds of local wildlife, making the exploration a moment of serenity and personal discovery.
For the visitor, the value of this site lies in its dual nature: it is a place where history meets the landscape. The archaeological vestiges, even if discreet, are important for understanding the pre-Roman human occupation in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, the panoramic view enjoyed from Castelo Velho do Caratão is, in itself, a strong attraction, revealing the beauty of the Beira landscape and the vastness of the horizon that the ancient inhabitants closely monitored.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.57682532275892,-7.960926696272758
Coordinates DMS: 39°34'36.6"N 07°57'39.3"W
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