About this place
Castro de Las Labradas is one of the largest and best-preserved Iron Age hillfort sites on the Iberian Peninsula, straddling the boundary between the municipalities of Arrabalde and Villaferrueña, in the province of Zamora, Castile and León. The settlement occupies the summit of the Sierra de Carpurias, overlooking the Ería river valley, a position that made it a naturally defensible stronghold since prehistoric times.
When was the site first occupied?
Traces of human presence go back to the Bronze Age, but the hillfort reached its peak during the second Iron Age, in the late 1st century BC, and continued to hold significance through the Roman period. Archaeologists associate the site with the Asturian culture, one of the peoples who inhabited the northwest of what is now Spain both before and after the Roman conquest. Given the scale of the settlement, it stands out among comparable hillforts of the region and period.
How big was the fortification, and how was it defended?
The defensive perimeter extends for roughly 2,500 metres, and the site as a whole covers about 23 hectares. Its defenses were built from several successive lines of walls that enclosed two adjoining compounds. Excavated gateways are flanked by rectangular bastions, a design associated with the most advanced fortification techniques known from this period in the region. The sheer size and complexity of these defenses make Las Labradas a key reference point for understanding pre-Roman military architecture in this part of Spain.
What survives inside the walls?
Within the enclosure, archaeologists have identified the remains of domestic buildings, artificial cisterns and other water sources, and areas once used for waste disposal. On the southern slope of the hill, traces of ancient mining activity point to the inhabitants extracting resources directly from the surrounding terrain. A medieval hermitage also stands on the site, evidence that the location retained religious and social importance long after its original occupants had gone.
What treasures have been found here?
Excavations uncovered two hoards of valuable objects, in 1980 and 1987. Among the finds is a gold fibula, a decorative clasp, now displayed at the Zamora Museum. The piece is regarded as an example of high-quality pre-Roman craftsmanship and ranks among the most valuable artifacts linked to Asturian culture in the region.
What is the site's current legal status?
Castro de Las Labradas was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) on 2 February 2006, under identification code RI-55-0000211. This designation legally protects the site from development and unauthorized interference, while also underscoring its importance to the region's archaeological heritage.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Castro de Las Labradas located? On the boundary between the municipalities of Arrabalde and Villaferrueña, in the province of Zamora, atop the Sierra de Carpurias, overlooking the Ería river valley.
How old is the site? Occupation dates back to the Bronze Age, with the peak of activity during the late 1st century BC and continuing through the Roman period.
How large is the hillfort? It covers roughly 23 hectares, with defensive walls spanning about 2,500 metres.
What can visitors see today? Remains of defensive walls with gates and bastions, foundations of domestic buildings, water cisterns, and a medieval hermitage.
Where are the excavated artifacts kept? The most significant finds, including a gold fibula, are held at the Zamora Museum.
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