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Archaeological site · A Guarda, Galicia
Castro de Santa Trega
Ruins of a castro settlement on the slopes of mount Santa Trega, occupied between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, with round stone houses and two reconstructed dwellings.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Castro de Santa Trega
The castro of Santa Trega is the best-known and most visited settlement of the castro culture in Galicia. It occupies the slopes of mount Santa Trega, above the mouth of the Minho river, at a point that commanded the river, the sea and the lands on both sides of the border.
According to the most recent excavations, the settlement had continuous occupation between the 1st century BC, at the very start of the Romanization of Galicia, and the 1st century AD, and was then gradually abandoned. On the mount there are also petroglyphs, stone carvings made about two thousand years before the castro.
What can be seen today are the foundations of hundreds of stone structures, mostly circular with some rectangular, separated by narrow streets and organized in family groups. Two houses have been reconstructed with thatched roofs to show how the dwellings looked. The castro was declared a national historic-artistic monument in 1931 and is a Property of Cultural Interest.
The objects found in the excavations are displayed in the archaeological museum at the top of the mount.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, with side light on the stones. Avoid days with strong wind and fog, common in winter.
How to get there
It is located on the slopes of mount Santa Trega, along the road that climbs from the village, about 3 km from the center. There are footpaths for those who hike up.
Tip
Start with the reconstructed houses: they help imagine what the ruins you see later looked like.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Castro de Santa Trega
What period is the Castro of Santa Trega from?
It had continuous occupation between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, according to recent excavations.
What were the houses in the castro like?
Generally circular, made of stone, with thatched roofs. Two have been reconstructed on site.
Where can you see the objects found in the castro?
In the archaeological museum at the top of the Monte de Santa Trega.