Category: Archaeology > Hillfort
District: Vila Real > Valpaços > Vila Nova > Alto da Cerca
Situated atop an elevation known as Alto da Cerca, this site lies in the tranquil area of Vila Nova, within the municipality of Valpaços. Its dominant position provides a wide perspective over the surrounding landscape, characteristic of northern Portugal's rural areas.
Despite being integrated into the Alto da Cerca urbanization, the site maintains its historic character, offering a privileged vantage point of the region, ideal for those who appreciate the combination of human legacy and nature.
The Castro de Vilanova is an archaeological site that preserves the marks of a pre-Roman fortified settlement. These castros, common in the Iron Age, were strategic locations, chosen for their defensive advantages and the visual control they offered over the surrounding territory.
Upon visiting this site, one can try to imagine the lives of the communities that inhabited it millennia ago, observing the remnants of their organization and defenses. Although the structures are not imposing, their importance lies in testifying to the presence and ingenuity of our ancestors in this area.
Beyond its archaeological interest, Alto da Cerca offers a serene environment, conducive to contemplation. The panoramic view that extends from the summit allows observation of the vast fields, valleys, and elevations that characterize the Valpaços landscape.
It is a place where history meets nature, inviting a pause to reflect on the passage of time and how civilizations established themselves in the territory. The feeling of being at such an elevated, once strategic, point lends a special dimension to the visit.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.63815576,-7.41782349
Coordinates DMS: 41°38'17.4"N 07°25'4.2"W
Weather Vila Nova
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Nova
