Couço do Monte Furado (Roman-era mining complex)

District: Viana do Castelo > Vila Nova de Cerveira > Covas > Chãos

Location

Couço do Monte Furado is located in the heart of the Viana do Castelo district, immersed in the verdant landscape of the Vila Nova de Cerveira municipality, more precisely in the locality of Covas, in the area known as Chãos. This site of historical interest is situated in a predominantly rural and natural environment, typical of the Minho region, offering direct contact with the tranquility of the surrounding nature. Its position, integrated into the local orography, is part of a territory that was once a stage for intense activity, now marked by serenity.

The Legacy of Roman Engineering

Couço do Monte Furado is a remarkable mining complex dating back to the Roman era, bearing witness to the profound presence and advanced Roman engineering in the Iberian Peninsula. This site reveals the magnitude of the ore extraction operations developed by the Romans, which demanded vast technical knowledge and an impressive logistical capacity. The evidence of human intervention in the landscape is clear, demonstrating the scale of the excavations and the complexity of the methods used to access and extract mineral resources.

Traces of Ancient Exploitation

Upon exploring Couço do Monte Furado, it is possible to observe the traces of ancient Roman mining operations. These include the gallery entrances excavated into the rock, which extended deep into the mountain to reach the mineral veins. You may also identify work marks on the excavation fronts, as well as indications of complex water management systems, crucial for dismantling and washing the ore. Such structures offer a fascinating glimpse into the civil engineering and mining techniques that were in use almost two millennia ago.

The Landscape and the Silence of History

Visiting Couço do Monte Furado offers a unique experience, where the past merges with the natural landscape. The remnants of mining activity, although altering the original configuration of the terrain, are now in harmony with the surrounding environment, sometimes covered by vegetation that integrates them into the local ecosystem. The site invites reflection on human effort and the ingenuity of an ancient civilization, in a setting where the silence of nature contrasts with the noise and intensity of the operations that once took place there, allowing for a peaceful immersion in history.

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