The Castle of Freixo de Numão (Portuguese: Castelo de Freixo de Numão) is a Portuguese medieval castle in civil parish of Freixo de Numão, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the district of Guarda.
| Castle of Freixo de Numão | |
|---|---|
Castelo de Freixo de Numão | |
| Guarda, Pinhal Interior Norte, Centro in Portugal | |
 A view of the old castle on the Monte de São Gabriel | |
| Coordinates | 41°04′21″N 7°11′31″W / 41.072387°N 7.191814°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Portuguese Republic |
| Operator | DRCNorte (Dispatch 829/2009, Diário da República, Série 2, 163, 24 August 2009) |
| Open to the public | Public |
| Site history | |
| Built | 3rd century B.C. |
History
edit
The first time the hilltop was occupied occurred sometime in the 3rd millennium, from the early Chalcolithic to the late Bronze Age.[1] The oldest structures on the hill date from this period, which was followed by a stage of important construction sometime in the middle period. This period was responsible for the group of edifices and courtyards, platforms, slopes and ramps.[1]
Sometime between 1300 and 1200 B.C., the monument was reduced to stone, either intentionally or ritualized, and left abandoned, in particular the outer zones.[1]
In 1987, A.N. Sá Coixão planted eucalyptus in the locality, following several surveys and field studies. But, two years later, Susana Oliveira Jorge initiated excavations in the locality.[1]
The castle was transferred to the management of the IPPAR, by CELBI (STORA) in the 1990s.[1] This move lead to the 28 September 1998 dispatch to begin a process of classification of the site, supported by Susana Oliveira Jorge.[1]
In 2004, further archaeological excavations and consolidation of the structures began in 2004, with construction of reception/interpretative centre built to allow visitors to visit the site. The site was open to the public in 2007.[1] Meanwhile, on 19 March 2010, the monument reached the classification of Monumento de interesse público (MIP), following dispatch 219/2010 (published in the Diário da República, Série 2, 55). It was rectified on 15 April, under article 734/2010 (published in the Diário da República, Série 2, 73) and classified as a Sítio de interesse público (SIP).[1]
Architecture
editThe castle is implanted strategically on a hilltop oriented to the east, over the Veiga valley, and extends to the south, along the geological fault of Vilariça.[1] The old castle dominates the landscape on Monte de São Gabriel and, in the background the Meseta and Serra da Marofa.[1] In most directions, except the north and northwest, the hilltop has natural defense conditions.[1]
At the limit is a courtyard constructed in masonry schist, consolidated mortar, with various openings and small random, semi-circular structures.[1] In the interior, there is a circular platform consisting of various, small stone structures. Outside the enclosure are small walls and ramps in clay and shale that take advantage of rocky outcrops.[1]
References
editNotes
editSources
edit- Coixão, António do Nascimento Sá (2000), Carta Arqueológica do Concelho de Vila Nova de Foz Côa (in Portuguese) (II ed.), Câmara Municipal de Vila Nova de Foz Côa
- Jorge, Susana Oliveira (2007), Castelo Velho de Freixo de Numão, Guia (in Portuguese), IGESPAR, I.P.
- Jorge, Susana Oliveira (2005), "O monumento pré-histórico do Castelo Velho de Freixo de Numão", in A.C.D.R. de Freixo de Numão (ed.), O Circuito Arqueológico de Freixo de Numão, Guia do Visitante (in Portuguese)