Castro of Chibanes – a prehistoric hill fort in Arrábida Nature Park

The Castro of Chibanes is a fortified hilltop settlement in the municipality of Palmela, Setúbal District, Portugal. It sits within Arrábida Nature Park, on the Serra do Louro ridge, about 25 km south of Lisbon. People first settled here around 2900 BCE, during the Chalcolithic (Copper Age), making it one of the oldest archaeological sites in the region.

Where is it and what does it look like?

The castro, or hill fort, occupies the top of the hill. A natural scarp protects its southern side, so defensive walls mattered most on the remaining approaches. The settlement covers roughly one hectare. Lisbon is visible from the site, a reminder of the wide views the original inhabitants enjoyed over the surrounding land.

How long was it inhabited?

Archaeological studies show occupation from the Chalcolithic until the end of the first millennium BCE. During the Roman Republican period the fortification lost its original military role, and its interior was divided into smaller domestic spaces. Few places let you see traces of several thousand years of continuous settlement in one spot.

History of research

The first excavation took place in 1906, led by António Inácio Marques da Costa. Since 1996 work has resumed under archaeologists from the Setúbal District Archaeology and Ethnography Museum (MAEDS), including Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares. Their work also covers cleaning, conservation and presenting the site to the public.

Protection

The site is registered as a Zona Especial de Protecção and classified as a Sítio de Interesse Público (Site of Public Interest). Please treat it with care: do not climb on the walls and do not take pottery fragments or stones.

Getting there and what to see nearby

Marked walking routes around Palmela pass the site. One is about 11.4 km and takes roughly four hours, linking a Neolithic funerary monument, the Castro of Chibanes, and Alto da Queimada, a village from the Arab period. Another, about 12 km, follows the crest of the Serra do Louro. We found no current information on opening hours, so check with MAEDS or the Palmela municipality before you go.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Castro of Chibanes? Its first occupation dates to around 2900 BCE, almost 5,000 years ago.

Can you see Lisbon from here? Yes, the capital is visible from the hill, weather permitting.

Is there an entrance fee? We have no confirmed information on fees or hours. Ask MAEDS or the Palmela municipality.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in archaeology, hiking in Arrábida, and views toward Lisbon.