Museo Castro Chao Samartín

Museo Castro Chao Samartín is an archaeological museum in Grandas de Salime, in western Asturias, built right beside the ruins of the hillfort (castro) it interprets. The building went up in 2007 on a hillside, giving visitors a panoramic view over the excavation site and the surrounding valleys.

What is inside the museum?

The permanent exhibition traces how fortified settlements developed and changed across western Asturias. The core of the collection comes from Chao Samartín itself, supplemented by finds from other regional sites such as Os Castros de Taramundi and Monte Castrelo de Pelóu. In total, more than 350 archaeological objects are on display, ranging from tools and pottery to worked metal pieces.

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time: from the Bronze Age, when the first fortified enclosure was raised on the upper plateau of the hillfort around 800 BC, through successive Iron Age rebuilds of the defences, all the way to the 10th century AD. From the 4th century BC onward the settlement grew to include ditches, defensive walls, dwellings, a communal building, a sauna and metallurgical workshops where gold, silver and bronze were worked. Under Roman rule, the castro became an important administrative centre for the region.

How do you visit the archaeological site itself?

Entry to the excavated site is by guided tour only — there is no option for an independent walk-through. Tours set off from the museum building, so it is worth arriving at least half an hour before your chosen tour time to look through the exhibition first and buy a ticket.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in the village of Castro, within the municipality of Grandas de Salime, deep in western Asturias close to the border with Galicia. It is mountainous terrain, so your own transport is the practical option — a car along the local roads connecting Grandas de Salime with Taramundi is the most comfortable route.

When is the best time to go?

The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:30–13:30. It is closed on Mondays. Because guided groups have limited capacity and turnout varies by season, it is worth calling ahead to confirm the time of the next available tour.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the castro without a guide? No. Access to the archaeological site is only possible in guided groups that depart from the museum at set times.

How many objects can you see in the museum? The permanent exhibition includes more than 350 archaeological objects, mostly from Chao Samartín and other nearby sites.

What historical period does the exhibition cover? From the Bronze Age (around 800 BC) through the Iron Age and Roman period, up to the 10th century AD.

What are the opening hours and contact details? The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:30–13:30; it is closed on Mondays. Phone: +34 985 627 143.