Castro do Cabeço dos Mouros

Category: Archaeology > Hillfort

District: Viseu > Castro Daire > Crasto

Location

The Castro do Cabeço dos Mouros is located at the top of a hill in the locality of Crasto, in the municipality of Castro Daire. Its elevated position, although it may present a challenging access, offers a unique perspective over the Levadas and Tenente streams that surround it. This more sheltered location invites discovery and contemplation of a serene natural environment, away from more open landscapes.

A Legacy of the Iron Age

This archaeological site dates back to the First Iron Age, with its initial occupation established around the 7th century BC. It was a hilltop settlement, strategically located on the crest of this elevation. Its existence offers a valuable testimony to the life and communities that inhabited this region thousands of years ago, revealing the earliest forms of social and architectural organization in the Castro Daire area.

Visible Remains

When exploring the site, it is possible to identify the remnants of the original structures. Although time has left its mark, stretches of the wall that once protected the settlement can still be observed. These are composed of small stones. Within the area delimited by the ancient wall, vestiges of two circular-plan dwellings can also be distinguished, characteristic elements of this type of fortified settlement. The presence of ceramic fragments on the surface, common in these archaeological sites, is a constant reminder of the life that flourished here.

Recognition and Importance

The Castro do Cabeço dos Mouros is a site of great historical and archaeological relevance, having been classified as a National Monument. This classification underscores its importance for understanding the pre-Roman heritage in Portugal and guarantees its preservation. Visiting this site is, therefore, an opportunity to establish a direct connection with the region's remote past and appreciate one of the oldest landmarks of human occupation in Castro Daire.

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