The roots of Minho region

Description:

Between Braga and Guimarães we find the remains of the oldest civilization known in the region - The Castro de S. Salvador de Briteiros. A settlement in the Iron Age settled here, which was later absorbed by the Roman invasion (1st century BC) and definitively abandoned in the 3rd century.
The excavations and cataloging carried out by Martins Sarmento (19th century) allowed to expose and understand the ordering of the territory and the utensils of its daily life. A good part of the structures and estate is still very visible today, and they are divided between Citânia de Briteiros, and the Museum of Castreja Culture that we will visit.
On this visit, our proposal involves understanding the limits and surrounding areas of these settlements, observing the most important artefacts and parts of the excavations, but also walking through the rural/natural areas that still preserve a unique genesis based on the legacy of cereal cultivation and storage. The discovery of wonderful landscapes and true natural treasures, the mills and huge slopes dedicated to the transformation of cereals, are truly the key components of this visit that will make you realize that the changes in the landscape, customs, and daily life of these populations didn't change that much, even after more than two thousand years of history. In some places time passes slowly, leaving the roots uncovered. The authentic Portugal!

Main points of interest in the itinerary

Citânia de Briteiros excavations
Archaeological Museum Cultura Castreja
Cereal Mills
Small rural villages
Defensive walls of the Iron Age
Varzéa River
Walking trails