Audioguía Santa Trega Hillfort en A Guarda

Historia y Arquitectura de Santa Trega Hillfort

The Santa Trega Hillfort is not merely a jewel of Galicia's archaeological heritage, but an extraordinary stone testament where Iberian protohistory intertwined with the expanding Roman Empire. Situated atop an unrivaled strategic lookout in the coastal town of A Guarda, this fortified settlement maintained complete visual and military control over the final stretch of the Miño River — the natural border with present-day Portugal — and the thriving sea trade routes of the Atlantic coast.

Archaeological research indicates that the hillfort experienced its golden age between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE, a period characterized by intense cultural exchange and integration into Roman economic structures. Far from being a primitive village, Santa Trega was a vibrant Atlantic urban center accommodating a dense population of 3,000 to 5,000 inhabitants. The urban layout was methodically organized into distinct family compounds or neighborhoods delimited by outer walls, featuring circular and elliptical granite dwellings with entry vestibules, originally roofed with thatch and broom.

The social and economic complexity of its society is clearly showcased in the artifacts preserved at the Mount's Archaeological Museum (MASAT). Native and imported ceramics, intricate gold jewelry, bronze tools, and Roman wine amphorae prove that the Galaico community of Santa Trega maintained active trade ties with Mediterranean networks. Furthermore, the mountain summit harbors prehistoric rock carvings, such as the famous 'Laxe do Mapa' petroglyph, etched thousands of years before the hillfort's construction, highlighting the sacred nature of this prominent peak since antiquity.

The gradual abandonment of the settlement began in the late 1st century CE as the Pax Romana established regional stability, encouraging the population to relocate to the fertile lowlands. Formally rediscovered in 1913 during road construction, Santa Trega stands today as a fundamental monument for understanding ancient Celtic and Roman history in Atlantic Europe.

🎙️ Transcripción Oficial de la Audioguía

The Santa Trega Hillfort is not merely a jewel of Galicia's archaeological heritage, but an extraordinary stone testament where Iberian protohistory intertwined with the expanding Roman Empire. Situated atop an unrivaled strategic lookout in the coastal town of A Guarda, this fortified settlement maintained complete visual and military control over the final stretch of the Miño River — the natural border with present-day Portugal — and the thriving sea trade routes of the Atlantic coast.

Archaeological research indicates that the hillfort experienced its golden age between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE, a period characterized by intense cultural exchange and integration into Roman economic structures. Far from being a primitive village, Santa Trega was a vibrant Atlantic urban center accommodating a dense population of 3,000 to 5,000 inhabitants. The urban layout was methodically organized into distinct family compounds or neighborhoods delimited by outer walls, featuring circular and elliptical granite dwellings with entry vestibules, originally roofed with thatch and broom.

The social and economic complexity of its society is clearly showcased in the artifacts preserved at the Mount's Archaeological Museum (MASAT). Native and imported ceramics, intricate gold jewelry, bronze tools, and Roman wine amphorae prove that the Galaico community of Santa Trega maintained active trade ties with Mediterranean networks. Furthermore, the mountain summit harbors prehistoric rock carvings, such as the famous 'Laxe do Mapa' petroglyph, etched thousands of years before the hillfort's construction, highlighting the sacred nature of this prominent peak since antiquity.

The gradual abandonment of the settlement began in the late 1st century CE as the Pax Romana established regional stability, encouraging the population to relocate to the fertile lowlands. Formally rediscovered in 1913 during road construction, Santa Trega stands today as a fundamental monument for understanding ancient Celtic and Roman history in Atlantic Europe.