Castro de Ulaca, Archaeological site near Villaviciosa, Spain.
Castro de Ulaca is an archaeological settlement on a hilltop near Villaviciosa, spreading across a large area of land. A massive dry-stone wall encircles the entire complex and once protected the houses and structures below.
The settlement dates back to the Iron Age and remained occupied over several centuries, documenting different phases of human habitation. Its founding coincides with the period of Celtic expansion into the Iberian Peninsula.
The site reflects the presence of the Vetones, a Celtic people who conducted religious and warrior rituals here. The stone structures reveal a community that used rock as material for both daily life and sacred ceremonies.
Climbing to the settlement requires physical effort and sturdy footwear, especially when the ground is wet or frozen. Plan enough time to explore the entire complex, and bring water since there is no shade on-site.
Within the settlement are ancient quarries with visible wedge marks and worked blocks, showing how skilled the inhabitants were at extracting and shaping stone. These traces of craftsmanship remain visible on the rocks today, offering insight into ancient working methods.
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