Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viseu > São Pedro do Sul > Reguengo
Located in the village of Reguengo, in the municipality of São Pedro do Sul, the Castro do Cárcoda rises on the so-called Outeiro da Cárcoda, at an altitude of about 610 meters. It is immersed in the natural landscape of the Serra da Arada, which gives the place an atmosphere of tranquility and a perspective on the surrounding mountain range.
Its elevated position provides a comprehensive view of the surroundings, integrating it into a setting where history and nature meet, offering an experience of discovery in the heart of the mountains.
The Castro do Cárcoda represents one of the most significant and well-preserved Iron Age hillforts in the entire central region of the country. Its origins date back to the Iron Age, with its occupation extending until at least the 3rd century AD, demonstrating a residential and cultural continuity over centuries.
This site bears witness to the passage of different peoples and civilizations, who shaped its structure and left marks of their presence. Its size suggests the existence of a numerous and well-established population at this strategic point in the landscape.
Exploring the Castro do Cárcoda, it is possible to observe the remains of a once prosperous community. The most prominent feature is the walled structure that surrounded the settlement, accompanied by a defensive ditch. Inside, the layouts of small streets that organized the space are distinguishable.
One of the most striking aspects is the remarkable quantity of still visible houses, distributed over an area of about 10 hectares. These dwellings exhibit various forms, including circular, rectangular, square, and oval layouts, allowing a glimpse into the urban and architectural organization of the period.
The site hosts an expressive collection of rock engravings, with a wide variety of motifs, carved into about fifteen rocks. These prehistoric artistic manifestations are mostly concentrated in areas presumed to have been places of worship and religious practices for the ancient inhabitants of the hillfort.
Popular culture enriches the imagination surrounding Cárcoda with the legend of the "Goat Mine" (Mina do Bode). It is said that immeasurable riches, in gold, hidden by the Moors and protected by a dragon in the shape of a goat, were guarded in this mine. Access to these treasures was said to be sealed by a mysterious and magical door, which only the prayers from the legendary Book of Saint Cyprian could move.
Archaeological campaigns carried out at Castro do Cárcoda revealed a valuable collection of material artifacts, offering important clues about the daily life, beliefs, and trade exchanges of the peoples who inhabited this place. The finds include various tools, made of polished stone, bronze, and iron, illustrating the artisanal skill of the period.
In addition to ceramics and glass adornments, Roman coins were also discovered, underscoring the deep Romanization of the site and its connections with the empire. Among the most notable pieces, a víria, a gold bracelet, stands out, demonstrating the wealth and social status of some of its former inhabitants.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.8043963,-8.1197456
Coordinates DMS: 40°48'15.8"N 08°07'11.1"W
Weather Reguengo
On-duty Pharmacy Reguengo
