Category: Archaeology > Fortified Settlement
District: Viseu > Tabuaço > Longa
The Citânia da Longa is located in the parish of Longa, in the municipality of Tabuaço, crowning the Monte do Muro. This elevated position, at approximately 919 meters of altitude, gives it a rural and isolated environment, standing out in the landscape. Visitors enjoy wide views over the surroundings, which harmonize with the natural defensive conditions of this ancient settlement, with its steep cliffs and wild pine vegetation.
The Citânia da Longa is a fortified settlement whose origins date back to the Iron Age, with evidence of occupation that may extend until the end of the Bronze Age. Known locally as 'Castelo de Longa' or 'Castelo dos Mouros' (Moors' Castle), this site offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of proto-historic communities, which skillfully utilized the natural features of the terrain to build a remarkable defensive system. Its importance is recognized by its classification as a Public Interest Property.
The most striking feature of the Citânia da Longa is its impressive defensive system. The settlement was protected by a double belt of walls, complemented by the steep natural cliffs of the mount. The outer wall, which is in excellent condition, reaches over two meters in height and one meter in width, built with robust granite slabs. Its construction technique, with stones fitted in a wedge and horizontally arranged, demonstrates the skill of its builders. The area of the main entrance and the presence of still visible turrets allow visitors to imagine the imposing grandeur this place held for those approaching it in ancient times.
In addition to the defensive structures, it is possible to observe, in the area delimited by the inner walls, vestiges of domestic structures, pointing to the life that unfolded here. Archaeologists found various ceramic fragments on the site, some of them decorated with incisions, as well as polished stone axes and a significant number of manual grinding stones made of granite. These vestiges are small but valuable indicators of the daily life of the communities that inhabited Citânia da Longa thousands of years ago, allowing a direct connection to their past.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.07194971,-7.5924659
Coordinates DMS: 41°04'19.0"N 07°35'32.9"W
Weather Longa
On-duty Pharmacy Longa
