Citânia de Briteiros
One of the largest Iron Age castro hillforts in northwestern Iberia, with stone round houses and streets covering the hillside.
Citânia de Briteiros lies on the Monte de São Romão, about 15 km southeast of Braga. It is a hilltop settlement of the Castro culture (Celtic Gallaecians) from around the 1st century BC, and people continued to live there into the Roman period. The site covers about 24 hectares. Inside three defensive walls are the foundations of more than 150 stone round houses, separated by paved streets, along with a steam bath containing finely carved stone slabs. Two of the round houses have been reconstructed with thatched roofs based on archaeological evidence. Excavations led by 19th-century archaeologist Martins Sarmento yielded artifacts now displayed in the Sarmento Museum in Guimarães. Admission is about €3, and it is closed on Mondays. The hillside offers no shade, so visitors should drive or take a taxi.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 09:30–17:00 (until 18:00 in summer); closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro
- Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte
- Sanctuary of Santa Maria Madalena da Falperra
- Basilica of the Congregados
- Fonte do Ídolo
- Nogueira da Silva Museum
- Palácio do Raio
- Theatro Circo