Citânia de Briteiros

The Minho


One of the most evocative archaeological sites in Portugal, Citânia de Briteiros, 15km north of Guimarães, is the largest of a liberal scattering of northern Celtic hill settlements, called citânias (fortified villages), dating back at least 2500 years. It’s also likely that this sprawling 3.8-hectare site, inhabited from about 300 BC to AD 300, was the Celtiberians’ last stronghold against the invading Romans.

When archaeologist Dr Martins Sarmento excavated the site in 1875, he discovered the foundations and ruins of more than 150 rectangular, circular and elliptical stone huts, linked by paved paths and a water-distribution system, all cocooned by multiple protective walls. Highlights include two reconstructed huts that evoke what it was like to live in the settlement and, further down the hill, a bathhouse with a strikingly patterned stone doorway.

Some artefacts are on display in the Sede e Museu Arqueológico in Guimarães, but the Museu da Cultura Castreja also has important artefacts from various sites housed in Sarmento’s 18th- and 19th-century manor house. It’s about 2km back down the hill towards Guimarães in the village of Briteiros Salvador.

From Guimarães, Transdev has about eight weekday buses that pass within 1km of the site; get off between the towns of Briteiros Salvador and Santa Leocádia. Check at the bus station for current schedule information.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Minho attractions

1. Museu da Cultura Castreja

0.68 MILES

The Museu da Cultura Castreja has important artefacts from various sites, housed in Sarmento’s 18th- and 19th-century manor house. It’s about 2km back…

2. Escadaria do Bom Jesus do Monte

3.78 MILES

Climbing dramatically to the hilltop pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte, 5km east of Braga, is this extraordinary staircase, with allegorical fountains…

3. Castelo

5.57 MILES

Built in the 11th century and still in fine form, the seven-towered castle is thought to be the birthplace of the great man himself, Afonso Henriques…

4. Paço dos Duques de Bragança

5.66 MILES

Looming over the medieval city on Guimarães’ hilltop, with its crenellated towers and cylindrical brick chimneys, Paço dos Duques was first built in 1401…

5. Fonte do Ídolo

5.73 MILES

Tucked away below street level and concealed by a modern lobby is this evocative ancient spring, one of Braga's unexpected treasures. An essential…

6. Praça da República

5.76 MILES

The cafes and restaurants on this broad plaza are a pleasant place to start or finish your day. An especially mellow atmosphere descends in the evening,…

8. Plataforma das Artes e Criatividade

5.84 MILES

For the 2012 European Capital of Culture, the old market square was revamped into a multipurpose cultural centre inside a shimmering three-floor metallic…