Castro de Irueña, Iron Age hillfort in Fuenteguinaldo, Spain.
Castro de Irueña is an Iron Age fortified settlement positioned where the Agueda River and Rolloso Stream meet, surrounded by substantial slate walls. These walls extend for several kilometers and define a large enclosed area on the hilltop.
The Vettones, a Celtic people, built and occupied this fortified site during the Second Iron Age. This settlement remained an important defensive location for the ancient inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula.
The site displays zoomorphic stone carvings typical of Vettonian craftsmanship that represent cattle, visible when examining artifacts found at the location. These works reveal something about the animals that mattered to the people who lived here and the skills of ancient artisans.
The site is reachable through the municipality of Fuenteguinaldo and maintains set visiting hours for guests. Parking facilities are available on-site, making it convenient to arrive and explore the hillfort.
Modern LIDAR technology has revealed underground structures and ancient settlement patterns within the fortification that were previously hidden from view. These technological discoveries provide new insights into the scale and complexity of the original settlement area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.