Poblat d'Olèrdola, Archaeological site in Olèrdola, Spain.
Poblat d'Olèrdola is an archaeological site built on a rocky hilltop within the Garraf mountain range and inhabited by multiple cultures over many centuries. The remains show layers from the Iron Age, Roman period, and Middle Ages, stacked one above the other on this elevated ground.
The site received its first fortifications in the 9th century BC, which later inhabitants modified for their own needs. Roman people used it as a residential outpost, and medieval communities then transformed it into a strong fortress.
The settlement takes its name from the Olèrdola family and still shows the marks of its medieval organization with distinct zones for defense, worship, and daily living. Walking through these separate areas today reveals how people arranged their lives around specific functions.
The site sits on a steep hillside, so wear sturdy footwear and plan time for climbing. Visitors who reach the top will find several viewpoints and ruins to explore, though the steep climb affects how long you stay.
An intact Roman-era cistern reveals how earlier residents gathered and stored water on this dry hilltop. Such underground containers were essential for living here, since natural water sources were scarce.
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