Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Vila Real > Sabrosa > Souto Maior > Feitais
The Castro de Sabrosa, also known as Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle), is located in the Feitais area, in the locality of Souto Maior, municipality of Sabrosa. This historic settlement is situated on the eastern edge of the Serra do Criveiro, at an altitude of about 665 meters.
Its strategic position allows for an extensive natural landscape, visually controlling a vast stretch of the Pinhão river valley. The surroundings are rural, offering a tranquil environment and the opportunity to appreciate the Douro scenery.
This millennial site is a testament to various historical periods, having been inhabited since the Iron Age. Over the centuries, the hillfort was also occupied during the Roman period and up to the Middle Ages, making it a site of great archaeological and cultural interest.
Recognizing its heritage value, the Castro de Sabrosa is classified as a Property of Public Interest, a designation that underscores its importance for understanding the history and communities that lived here.
The hillfort was designed with remarkable natural defensive conditions. Its structure follows a trapezoidal plan, marked by a complex wall system composed of three lines of walls built with dressed granite stone. The thickness of these walls varies, in some places, between three and four meters.
At the highest part of the hill, it is still possible to observe remnants of a massive keep. In addition to the walls, the presence of external moats, especially on the North and West flanks, reinforces the perception of the defensive robustness of this ancient settlement. Inside the enclosure, remnants of rectangular and circular-plan houses are identified, as well as ramps that provided access to different levels.
Archaeological research campaigns carried out at the hillfort brought to light various remains that enrich the understanding of life in this settlement. Among the finds are numerous fragments of pottery, both plain and decorated, with chronologies ranging from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages.
Metal objects such as an iron axe and fibulae were also discovered, in addition to Roman coins and some Latin inscriptions. These elements offer a window into the daily activities, commercial exchanges, and cultural practices of the populations who settled in this strategic location over thousands of years.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.279039,-7.586403
Coordinates DMS: 41°16'44.5"N 07°35'11.1"W
Weather Souto Maior
On-duty Pharmacy Souto Maior
