Category: Archaeology > Hillfort
District: Vila Real > Boticas > Campos
The Castro de Lesanho rises imposingly in the locality of Campos, municipality of Boticas, in the district of Vila Real. Situated on a distinctly isolated conical hill in the landscape, this ancient settlement dominates the rural surroundings, offering broad views over the Corgo dos Lamais. Its elevated position and the low-lying vegetation that covers it lend it an atmosphere of tranquility and a deep connection with the surrounding nature.
This millennia-old site reveals the presence of a community that inhabited it from Protohistory, maintaining its occupation until the Roman Era. What stands out at Castro de Lesanho are its three lines of defensive walls, built with dry-laid granite stones. Some of these walls reach a remarkable thickness, integrating in certain points with the rock itself and bearing witness to the ingenious defensive architecture of that time.
As one traverses the platforms between the ancient defenses, it is still possible to discern the foundations of circular residential constructions. These structures, also built with granite, offer a glimpse into the organization of space and the daily lives of their former inhabitants.
The Castro de Lesanho is more than a collection of ruins; it is a site that invites reflection on the ways of life and adaptation of ancient populations to the territory. Although less prominent than its imposing defenses, at the foot of the hill, there are some granite outcrops that contain traces of incised engravings. These discreet elements, such as simple grooves or marks, refer us to remote cultural expressions, a silent link to the peoples who lived here over millennia. A visit to this site provides a unique opportunity to feel history and landscape in deep harmony.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.64600757037, -7.7542365814815
Coordinates DMS: 41°38'45.6"N 07°45'15.3"W
On-duty Pharmacy Campos
