Castro Alobre
About this heritage
Located in the very historic center of Vilagarcía, this site shows different levels of occupation in the final phase of the Iron Age, in the 1st century BC. Its strategic position both in the ría de Arousa and at the mouth of the Ulla river granted it access to the trade circuits of Phoenician merchants.
To learn more
The materials documented in the findings demonstrate the relationship of Castro Alobre with the Mediterranean world and, especially, with the south of the Iberian Peninsula, the Italian Peninsula, and the Balearic Islands. A large quantity of Punic imported materials (from the 8th century BC) and late Punic (early 2nd century BC to mid-1st century BC) have been identified. The metal remains, mainly bronze, are particularly significant, with more than 400 pieces. Additionally, fragments of Campanian pottery, an askós, common ceramics (pots, cups, and jugs), and several cálatos, Attic ceramic vessels, have been found. The Phoenicians were polytheistic and each city had its own pantheon, with the omnipresence of female deities such as Astarte or Tanit, who embodied the principles of fertility and prosperity, well established in Mediterranean culture through the figure of the Great Mother Goddess. The interchangeable nature of the goddesses also extends to the names of the male gods, such as Baal (male) and Baalat (female), which also mean "lord" and "lady," respectively. Baal is worshiped as the god of mountains and high places, storms, springs, and rivers. When the Phoenicians chose a promontory, peninsula, or island to locate the port and commercial transaction area, they consulted the oracle, erecting a temple in the area to sanctify it. This was necessary to carry out the relevant oaths in any commercial exchange and to perform rituals and offerings to seek protection throughout the voyages. They also served as neutral spaces for transactions. The alphabet is the most important cultural contribution of the Phoenicians. Excavations at Ra's Samra have revealed the existence of an alphabet using cuneiform signs, of Mesopotamian origin, used to write in a Semitic language, a direct and immediate predecessor of the Phoenician alphabet of the classical era. The inscription of King Ahiram of Byblos shows that by the 13th century BC, Phoenician writing had already reached its almost definitive form, and in the early centuries of the first millennium there are several testimonies of inscriptions with the complete system of 22 signs. This alphabet was later adopted by the Greeks, with adaptations, and from them passed on to the Romans.
To know it better
Castro Alobre, located near the Pazo de Vista Alegre in Vilagarcía de Arousa (province of Pontevedra), is a coastal site with a rich history. According to research, it was occupied at different times during the Iron Age, 1st century BC. Being located on the coast, it was a settlement with a perfect and strategic location to enhance commercial exchanges. Furthermore, remains of Italic pottery and elements from the Mediterranean area have been found, confirming trade between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In this castro, the remains of a castro-style villa are preserved. This culture was characterized by its way of settling, building round or oval stone houses. Possibly, this castro was the beginning of what is now known as Vilagarcía de Arousa. Near the fortification was the hermitage of San Cristovo de Alobre, dating from the 10th century. For this reason, the castro is also known as Castro de San Cristovo or Castro de Vistalegre. Through excavations and studies, about 20,000 pieces from different eras have been found. Among them, the following stand out: bronze elements, coins, ceramics, pendants, hair accessories, and armor buckles.
Gallery
Location
- Town
- Vilagarcía de Arousa
- Municipality
- Vilagarcía de Arousa
- Province
- Pontevedra
- Country
- Spain
The asset
- Type
- Castro
- Eco-destination
- Ría de Arousa
- Environment
- Urban
- Relevance
- International
How to get there
- Access
- By sea By land
- Distance
- 0 km
The visit
- Visitable
- Yes
- Accessible
- No
- Parking
- No
Coordinates
- Latitud
- 36.59209200
- Longitud
- -6.22919680