Citânia de Briteiros (Portugal).
Citânia de Briteiros is one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Portugal, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived there between the 4th century BCE and the 1st century CE. It was a castro, a fortified settlement built by the Gallaeci, the indigenous people of the region, who were skilled farmers, traders, and warriors.
The site reveals the remains of stone houses, often circular in shape, arranged along paved streets with an advanced water drainage system. The Gallaeci lived in small, self-sufficient communities, raising livestock, growing crops, and engaging in metalwork. They had their own social structures and religious beliefs, often connected to nature and ancestral traditions.
Although the Romans eventually took control of the region, elements of Castro culture persisted, blending with Roman ways of life. Today, Citânia de Briteiros stands as a reminder of this ancient civilization, offering visitors a chance to walk through the ruins of a once-thriving community and imagine the daily life of its inhabitants.
