Citânia de Briteiros

Citânia de Briteiros is one of Portugal’s most significant archaeological sites, located atop São Romão hill in the former parish of Salvador de Briteiros, Guimarães. This fortified settlement, known as a castro, dates back to the Iron Age and serves as a remarkable testament to the Castro culture that once thrived in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Designated a National Monument in 1910, Citânia de Briteiros has been the focus of extensive archaeological research since the 19th century, revealing fascinating details about the lives of its ancient inhabitants.

History and Origins of Citânia de Briteiros

São Romão hill has been inhabited since the Neolithic or Chalcolithic periods, but the castro, as we know it today, developed later, reaching its peak between the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE. This fortified settlement spans 24 hectares, with 7 hectares accessible to visitors. The strategic location of the castro, atop a hill at 336 meters above sea level, offered excellent visibility over the Ave River Valley, making it ideal for defense while providing easy access to vital natural resources, particularly water. Like other castros in the region, Citânia de Briteiros was protected by multiple concentric walls, enclosing a central core where homes and public areas were located.

The Urban Organization of the Castro

One of the most fascinating aspects of Citânia de Briteiros is its advanced urban planning for the time. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a complex network of streets that clearly delineated private and public areas. The central zone, known as the acropolis, housed key buildings, including residential structures, public areas such as the Council House, and two bathhouses. The bathhouses, which likely served both hygienic and ritual purposes, are among the castro’s most iconic structures. One of them contained the famous Pedra Formosa, a decorated slab that was part of the bathing complex and is regarded as a quintessential example of Castro culture architecture. Most of the dwellings were circular and clustered around stone-paved courtyards, enclosed by stone walls. These residential complexes often included multiple circular houses, likely intended for different branches of the same family, suggesting that Citânia de Briteiros was home to large extended families. Additionally, storage facilities and functional buildings such as workshops and stables have been identified, indicating a highly organized and self-sufficient community. The Evolution of the Settlement: From the Iron Age to Roman Influence While Citânia de Briteiros began to decline following the Roman conquest in the 1st century BCE, certain areas of the castro remained occupied until the 4th century CE. The Romans introduced significant changes to the settlement, including new construction techniques, the use of tiles, and the reorganization of the urban layout with a more orthogonal street plan. Despite these influences, the castro retained its Celtic identity, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds that preserve elements of Castro culture. During Roman occupation, Citânia de Briteiros remained well-connected to major trade routes, which facilitated access to goods like wine, stored in large amphorae found on the site. However, the pressure of Romanization and the reorganization of the territory eventually led to the castro’s abandonment as a permanent settlement by the 2nd century CE.

Archaeological Excavations and the Significance of the Site

Although the ruins of Citânia de Briteiros had been known since at least the 16th century, formal archaeological excavations didn’t begin until the 1870s, under the direction of Francisco Martins Sarmento, a pioneer in Portuguese archaeology. Excavations continued throughout the 20th century, with a new series of studies launched in 2004 by the Martins Sarmento Society and the University of Minho. One of the key achievements of these excavations was the reconstruction of two circular houses, giving visitors a clearer understanding of what life in the castro might have been like. Additionally, archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of residential structures and public buildings, confirming that Citânia de Briteiros was one of the largest and most complex castros in the region.

How to Visit Citânia de Briteiros

Citânia de Briteiros is located about 15 kilometers from the city of Guimarães, in northern Portugal. Visitors can easily reach the archaeological site via the EN 101 and EN 310 highways, followed by local roads leading to the parish of São Salvador de Briteiros. A section of the Estrada Nacional 309 (National Road 309) runs near the site, providing convenient access for tourists. The site can be explored in a few hours, and in addition to the archaeological ruins, Citânia de Briteiros offers spectacular panoramic views of the Ave River Valley and the surrounding mountains. In addition to its archaeological significance, Citânia de Briteiros also boasts rich natural surroundings. A highlight is a 120-year-old stone pine, which was declared a public-interest tree in 2021. This blend of cultural and natural heritage makes Citânia de Briteiros an ideal destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.