Castro do Cabeço do Couço

Category: Archaeology > Hillfort

District: Viseu > Vouzela > Campia

Location

The Castro of Cabeço do Couço is located in the town of Campia, in the municipality of Vouzela, district of Viseu. Its location on a hilltop gives it a strategic position, with a privileged view over the surrounding landscape. This elevation, typical of ancient fortified settlements, facilitated visual control of the territory and ensured effective defence.

The natural surroundings of the archaeological site allow for the observation of the region's mountainous landscape, offering a unique perspective over the valley and the surrounding elevations, shaped over millennia.

A Legacy of the Iron Age

This site represents a remnant of the presence of human communities that inhabited the Viseu region during the Iron Age. The fortified settlements built during this era reflect a complex social organisation and an inherent need for defence. At the Castro of Cabeço do Couço, the remains of an ancient structure that housed these ancestral populations are visible.

Although the specific constructions may vary, the general features of these pre-Roman settlements allow for an understanding of the defensive architecture and community life that developed there. The site bears witness to a distant past and the evolution of human settlement in Portuguese territory.

Historical Value and Testimony

The relevance of the Castro of Cabeço do Couço is formally recognised, which highlights its exceptional value to Portugal's archaeological and historical heritage. This distinction safeguards its protection and study, which are essential for understanding the civilisations that preceded the Roman presence on the Iberian Peninsula.

The site's recognition attests to the authenticity and integrity of the Castro of Cabeço do Couço as a fundamental testament to the material and immaterial culture of our ancestors, forming a link to the roots of local and national history.

Between History and Landscape

A visit to the Castro of Cabeço do Couço provides an immersion in history and the natural surroundings. The site offers an exploration that evokes the ways of life of the past, stimulating the imagination about the daily lives of the communities that settled here. The serenity of the natural environment complements the archaeological dimension, creating a setting conducive to contemplation and learning.

The contours of the land and the traces of ancient human occupation encourage reflection on the resilience and ingenuity of the Iron Age peoples, who knew how to take advantage of the geographical features to establish their settlements and develop their cultures.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt