Castro do Zambujal is an interesting stop for visitors with a passion for archaeology and prehistoric history. Located near Torres Vedras, thesite preserves the remains of one of the earliest fortified settlements in Portugal. While thereare no monumental structures standing today, the information panels help visitors understand how this community once looked and why it played such an important role thousands of years ago.

History:

Dating back to around 3000 BC, Castro do Zambujal wasa fortified Chalcolithic settlement occupied during the Copper Age. Protected by several defensive walls and towers, it became an important centre for metallurgy, particularly the production and trade of copper. Archaeological excavations have revealed houses, workshops, and evidence of commercial exchanges with other regions of the Iberian Peninsula.

Although Portugal's most spectacular prehistoric monuments are found in the north of the country, Castro do Zambujal remains one of the best preserved and most significant prehistoric settlements near Lisbon.