Castle of Cola
the public
Castle of Cola (Portuguese: Castelo de Cola) is an Iron Age residence and Islamic redoubt in the Portuguese Alentejo, classified as a National Monument. The castro is part of a larger archaeological park of Castro da Cola, that includes various Megalithic and Chalcolithic monuments, including necropolises of the Bronze and Iron Ages. The Castro-era polygonal plan, included reinforced blocks, with an entrance controlled by tower. The remaining defensive structure was circled by walls, with still exist, on the neighboring pasture-lands protecting the castle.
History
The construction of the ancient occurred, and human occupation fixed itself on this site, around the beginning of the Bronze Age.
During the period of Islamic influence within the Iberian peninsula, the castro was reinforced to serve as an outpost. The fortification controlled one of the principal routes of passage into the Algarve. Of the artifacts discovered there are objects dating to the pre- and proto-cultural episodes of the region, including: polished stone axes, fragments of Iron Age vessels, rural ceramics, glass beads, gold, needle bone, bronze bracelets, drills, firing pins, spheroids; historical objects: Roman-Visigoth ceramics, Arabic and Portuguese Medieval metal objects (screws, cossoiros, buckles, keys, rings, etc.), stone objects (millstones, spheroids throwing, firing pins), hewn Roman and Visigothic stones, Arab tombstones, coins, Roman lamps.
The site was abandoned during the 14th century, based on the research of Abel Viana. Yet, this is contradicted by Rosa Varela Gomes, who suggests that that abandonment of the site occurred sometime between the 15th and 16th century.
Excavations on the site were realized in 1960, under the direction of Abel Viana. During this period the walls of the southeast corner were consolidated (1961) Further investigations and reinforcement of the northern parts of the castle were accomplished in 1962, followed once again in 1963 by work completed by Abel Viana.
In 1999, it was included within the Programa de Valorização e Divulgação Turística (Tourist Valorization and Appreciation Program), by the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism and Secretary of State for Culture, and included as part of the archaeological itineraries for the Alentejo and Algarve regions. In order to improve tourist visits, a new interpretative center and reception area was constructed between 1999 and 2000, by architect Sofia Salema.
In 2001, archaeological excavations were carried out on the site.
Architecture
The castro is located in a rural environment, on the crest of a mountain 201 metres (659 ft) above the river valley, along the Ribeira do Marchicão and near the Rio Mira. The landscape, which is 70 metres (230 ft) above the Rio Mira, is protected by walls of the fortification to the southwest and northeast. Near the site is the Church of Nossa Senhora da Cola, an annual destination for pilgrims. Cola is part of an archaeological circuit that covers an area of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi), part of 23 stations from the Neolithic and Middle Ages, including the Chalcolithic settlement of Cortadouro, the Megalithic monuments of Fernão Vaz I and II, as well as the Tholos da Nora Velha, the necropolises of Porto de Lages, Pego da Sobreira, Fernão Vaz and Vaga da Cascalheira.
The plan of the castle consists of an irregular 125 metres (410 ft)-long polygon, with 60 metres (200 ft) width, consisting of 2.4 metres (7.9 ft) thick walls, although in some areas this width was between 5–6 metres (16–20 ft). These walls were reinforced by unequal-sized rectangular blocks.
A main gate is located on the south wall, defended by a large tower, of thicker construction.
A thick wall divides the courtyard into two zones to the south. Here a cistern, dug from the rock, 3.79×2.70×2.20 metres (12.4×8.9×7.2 ft), is located, with semi-circular vaulted ceiling and square nozzole.
The floor within the castle consists of a mixture of sand, gravel and pebbles, with vestiges of rectangular houses located in various locations.
References
- Pereira, Gabriel (1879), Notas d'Archeologia (in Portuguese), Évora, Portugal
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Vasconcelos, José Leite de (1933), "Excursões pelo Baixo Alentejo - 1897", O Archeólogo Português (in Portuguese) (29 ed.)
- Viana, Abel (1959), Notas Históricas, Arqueológicas e Etnográficas do Baixo Alentejo (in Portuguese), vol. XV, Arquivo de Beja
- Viana, Abel (1960), Notas Históricas, Arqueológicas e Etnográficas do Baixo Alentejo (in Portuguese), vol. XVI, Arquivo de Beja
- Gomes, Rosa Varela (1989), "A arqueologia militar muçulmana", História das Fortificações Portuguesas no Mundo (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
- v
- t
- e
- Castle of Abrantes
- Castle of Alandroal
- Castle of Alcácer do Sal
- Castle of Alcanede
- Castle of Alcantarilha
- Castle of Alcobaça
- Castle of Alcoutim
- Castle of Alegrete
- Castle of Alenquer
- Castle of Alfaiates
- Castle of Alfândega da Fé
- Castle of Alfeizerão
- Castle of Algoso
- Castle of Aljezur
- Castle of Aljustrel
- Castle of Almada
- Castle of Almourol
- Castle of Alter do Chão
- Castle of Alter Pedroso
- Castle of Alva
- Castle of Alvito
- Castle of Alvor
- Castle of Amieira do Tejo
- Castle of Arraiolos
- Castle of Arronches
- Castle of Atouguia da Baleia
- Castle of Avis
- Castle of Avô
- Castle of Azinhalinho
- Castle of Balsamão
- Castle of Barbacena
- Porto Pim bartizan
- Castle of Beja
- Castle of Belmonte
- Castle of Belver
- Castle of Bemposta
- Castle of Borba
- Castle of Braga
- Castle of Bragança
- Castle of Caminha
- Castle of Campo Maior
- Castle of Carrazeda de Ansiães
- Castle of Castelo Bom
- Castle of Castelo Branco
- Castelo de Idanha-a-Velha
- Castelo de Longroiva
- Castelo de Montel
- Castelo de Montemor-o-Novo
- Castelo de Nisa
- Castelo de Oleiros
- Castelo de Palmela
- Castelo de Pirescoxe
- Castelo de Portuzelo
- Castelo de Ranhados
- Castelo de Sesimbra
- Castelo de Sines
- Castelo de Torre de Coelheiros
- Castelo de Torres Vedras
- Castelo de Veiros
- Castle of Castelo Melhor
- Castle of Castelo Mendo
- Castle of Castelo de Vide
- Castle of Castelo Rodrigo
- Castle Fortress of Almeida
- Castle of Castro Marim
- Castle of Celorico da Beira
- Castle of Chaves
- Castle of Cola
- Castle of Crato
- Castle of Curutelo
- Castle of Degebe
- Castle of Elvas
- Castle of Esporão
- Castle of Estremoz
- Castle of Evoramonte
- Castle of Faria
- Fernandine Walls of Porto
- Castle of Folgosinho
- Castle of Freixo de Espada-à-Cinta
- Castle of Freixo de Numão
- Castle of Geraldo
- Castle of Guarda
- Castle of Guimarães
- Castle of Idanha-a-Nova
- Castelo de Juromenha
- Castle of Lagos
- Castle of Lamego
- Castle of Lanhoso
- Castle of Leiria
- Castle of Linhares
- Castle of Loulé
- Castle of Lousa
- Castle of Lousã
- Castle of Marialva
- Castle of Marvão
- Castle of Mau Vizinho (Vila Real)
- Castle of Melgaço
- Castle of Mertola
- Castle of Messejana
- Castle of Miranda do Douro
- Castle of Mirandela
- Castle of Mogadouro
- Castle of Moinhos
- Castle of Monção
- Castle of Monforte (Chaves)
- Castle of Monforte (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
- Castle of Monsanto
- Castelo de Monsaraz
- Montalegre Castle
- Castle of Montalvão
- Castle of Montemor-o-Velho
- Castle of the Moors
- Castle of Moreira de Rei
- Castle of Mós
- Castle of Moura
- Castle of Mourão
- Castle of Noudar
- Castle of Numão
- Castle of Óbidos
- Castle of Ouguela
- Castle of Ourém
- Castle of Ourique
- Castle of Outeiro
- Castle of Paderne
- Castle of Pena de Aguiar
- Castle of Penamacor
- Castle of Penas Róias
- Castle of Penedono
- Castle of Penela
- Castle of Pinhel
- Castle of Pombal
- Castle of Portalegre
- Castle of Portel
- Castelo de Porto de Mós
- Castle of Rebordãos
- Castle of Redondo
- Castle of Redondos
- Castle of Ródão
- Sabugal Castle
- Castle of Salir
- Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
- Castle of Santarém
- Castle of Santo Estêvão
- São Jorge Castle
- Castle of São Ramão
- Castle of Seda
- Castle of Senhora da Luz
- Castle of Sernancelhe
- Castle of Serpa
- Castle of Silves
- Castle of Sortelha
- Castle of Soure
- Castle of Tavira
- Castle of Terena
- Castelo de Tomar
- Castelo de Torre de Moncorvo
- Castle of Torres Novas
- Tower of Bera
- Tower of Ferreira de Aves
- Castle of Trancoso
- Castle of Valongo
- Castle of Viana do Alentejo
- Castle of Vidigueira
- Castle of Vidigueiras
- Castle of Vila Flor
- Castle of Vila Nova de Cerveira
- Castle of Vila Nova de Foz Côa
- Castle of Vila Verde dos Francos
- Castle of Vila Viçosa
- Castle of Vilar Maior
- Castle of Vinhais