Chao Samartín

Grandas, Spain

Chao Samartín is a Castro located in the municipality of Grandas. It was founded in the Bronze Age, around the year 800 BCE.

The beginnings of this fortified village lay toward the end of the Bronze Age (about 3,000 years ago); the first defenses are from this period, a moat and a palisade that surround a sacred enclosure with an entrance preceded by some large rocks. Inside a building was located that is quite large for its era (some 60 m²).

Already in the Iron Age the inhabited area of the castro started to grow considerably. In the 4th century. the defenses existed of a wall and several moats that in their interior contained dwellings of circular and rectangular plan with rounded corners. These dwellings had one room and a roof of plant materials. The only entrance to the village was from the south through a large gate over a moat. The inhabitants were farmers, prepared foods in ceramic pots and pans and used tools of iron, copper, silver, and gold, as is shown by the objects that have been found at this location. In this era, the first sauna in this castro was built.

With the arrival of the Roman Empire, a period of peace and prosperity began that altered the defensive character of the hill fort because the inhabitants started to take advantage of the fact that nearby several gold mines were found. Their prosperity came to a halt when the settlement was suddenly abandoned after an earthquake taking place toward the 2nd Century AD.

Excavation of the castro were begun in 1990 and there is still a large part of the village hidden under the soil that has not been studied yet. Investigations showed that the settlement was suddenly abandoned, which is explained by findings of many tools, jewelry, and other objects of value that pertain to the Roman Period.

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Details

Founded: 800 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jesus Fidel Martinez Garcia (5 months ago)
The most interesting fort I have visited. Museum with an excellent collection of pieces, very well structured. The best is the guided tour, carried out by a great professional with an impressive cultural background and knowledge...
Sara González (6 months ago)
Great guided tour. Parking at the museum and then you have to walk a small path to the fort itself. Little-known site that is very worthwhile because of how complete and interesting it is. It has a rich collection of pieces that can be seen first in the museum and then delved deeper with the guided tour.
Lucía S (6 months ago)
If you are in the area, a visit is recommended. The woman who runs it is charming. In the mornings you can complete the museum visit with a visit to the fort at 1:00 p.m., in the afternoon I don't know the times. Ample parking at the entrance.
Jeremy S (6 months ago)
I enjoyed this museum. It may be missed by people, but it has many interesting artefacts. Modern building, nicely laid out and worth a visit
Jac AC (7 months ago)
Yesterday we were traveling through the area and we went to the Chao Samartin museum, to see the Castro and the exhibition of the objects found in the archaeological excavations. Although we could not stay until the time of the guided tour, I want to express, on behalf of myself and the two family members who accompanied me, our deep gratitude to Susana. His incredible attention during the visit to the museum and his passion and knowledge about the Castro and the objects exhibited there have been very enriching.
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