Category: Archaeology > Fortification
District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Vila Pouca de Aguiar
The fortified enclosure of Cidadelha is situated in a rural and tranquil area of the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. It is located at the top of a spur, a natural elevation that offers a strategic and isolated position. The surroundings are marked by low-lying vegetation and the proximity of the Avelames River, whose steeper slopes, to the south and east, give the place a natural and picturesque atmosphere.
This enclosure corresponds to a fortified settlement originating in proto-history, a distant era that predates written language. Its existence takes us back to the first human settlements in the region, where people of that time sought elevated and protected points to establish their communities. Cidadelha, with its defensive structure, is a silent testament to how these ancestors lived and protected themselves in the territory.
The most striking element of this site is its wall, built with robust granite blocks, expertly cut and fitted. In some places, this defensive line still stands about two meters high, revealing the imposing nature of the original construction. It is remarkable how, on the steeper and more challenging slopes, the wall ingeniously abuts the natural rock formations, integrating into the landscape and utilizing it as part of its fortification.
Inside the fortified enclosure, the platform is now covered by low-lying vegetation. Although no visible residential structures or ceramic remains are found on the site, mounds of loose stone can be observed. These mounds are the result of the ruin of ancient constructions that existed here and of the wall itself over the millennia, lending the environment an atmosphere of archaeological discovery and a profound connection with nature that has gradually reclaimed the space.
The importance of the fortified enclosure of Cidadelha for national heritage is officially recognized. This site is classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest), a designation that underscores its historical, cultural, and archaeological value, ensuring its protection and preservation for future generations. Visiting this space is an opportunity to reflect on the origins and evolution of human communities in the region.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.51665399,-7.65228113
Coordinates DMS: 41°30'60.0"N 07°39'8.2"W
Weather Vila Pouca de Aguiar
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