Ruínas da cidade velha de Santa Luzia, Archaeological site on Monte de Santa Luzia, Areosa, Portugal
Citânia de Santa Luzia is an archaeological site on a hilltop containing around 74 excavated residential structures with circular and rectangular layouts surrounded by defensive stone walls and ditches. The remains reveal a well-fortified settlement where people lived and worked over an extended period.
The hilltop was first systematically explored when a local scholar began excavations in 1876 and uncovered basic structures. A Swiss researcher conducted more thorough investigations later, which revealed the full scope and importance of the settlement.
The homes show traces of shared daily life through cooking areas and hearths scattered throughout the settlement. The way buildings cluster together suggests a community that organized work and meals in common spaces.
Visitors can reach the site on foot using a funicular, stone staircase, or road leading to the summit. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the different areas since the ground is uneven.
Only a portion of the original settlement was excavated, as later buildings such as a hotel and church were constructed over sections of the site. This means what visitors see today represents just a fragment of the community that once thrived here.
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