Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Vila Real > Valpaços > Vilaranda Boa
The Castro de Vilanova stands on a hill, in the peaceful locality of Vilaranda Boa, in the municipality of Valpaços. This isolated site is set in a predominantly rural landscape, covered by oaks and gorse, which give it a natural and serene atmosphere.
From this elevated point, it is possible to observe the Ribeira de Esturãos, which flows nearby, contributing to the scenic beauty of the surroundings and providing an experience of contact with the Trás-os-Montes nature.
The Castro de Vilanova is a remarkable fortified settlement, whose origins date back to Protohistory. It represents an important testimony to human presence and social organization in the region in very ancient times, revealing characteristics of a proto-urban agglomeration.
The importance of this archaeological site is recognized, being classified as a Property of Public Interest, which underscores its heritage value and the need for its preservation for future generations.
This ancient settlement was protected by a remarkable defensive system. It is still possible today to glimpse the remains of two lines of walls that encircled it, some of which reached about three meters in thickness. These structures were built with granite blocks, arranged irregularly and dry-laid.
To enhance protection, particularly on the western flank, the most accessible area, there was an additional outer defensive line. In the second line of walls, on the south side, the location of an ancient entrance can still be perceived, inviting one to imagine what access to the settlement would have been like in distant times.
Inside the platforms delimited by the walls, remains of the constructions that once made up the settlement persist. These structures, with circular and rectangular plans, suggest the spatial organization of the dwellings of the ancient inhabitants of the castro.
One of the most peculiar and interesting features of the site is the existence of a rock-cut press excavated directly into the granite, located outside the fortified perimeter. This unique element offers valuable insight into the agricultural practices and daily life of those who lived here thousands of years ago, demonstrating their ability to adapt and utilize the natural resources of the environment.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.6412863,-7.4099667
Coordinates DMS: 41°38'28.6"N 07°24'35.9"W
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