Ciutat ibèrica d'Ullastret
The Ciudad íbera de Ullastret is an ancient settlement on a hilltop in the Baix Empordà region, surrounded by thick stone walls with six round towers for defense. The ruins show house foundations, narrow streets, underground water storage tanks carved into rock, and remains of three small temples dating to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
The settlement was founded around 2,500 years ago and grew into an important trading center for the Iberian people living in this region. The walls and towers were reinforced at different times during its occupation before the final phase of habitation ended around the late 3rd century BC.
The Iberian people organized their settlement around narrow streets and shared spaces that reveal how they conducted daily activities. The layout of homes, from simple dwellings to larger houses, shows the social structure and how families lived side by side in this hilltop community.
The site is open Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours in summer, and guided tours and interactive activities are available. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the entire site along its various paths takes time and involves walking on uneven ground.
In 2012, archaeologists uncovered fifteen skull fragments nearby, including two with evidence of skull modification, pointing to ancient practices of collecting enemy heads as war trophies. This find links to customs documented by ancient Greek writers and reveals practices that were known among Iberian warriors.
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