O Castro de Alvarelhos. O Sítio Arqueológico, os caminhos e o Lugar dos Aidos

Abstract

Recognized as a national monument since the 16th June of 1910, the Estação Arqueológica do Castro de Alvarelhos is without doubt, a heritage worth of preservation. Having been occupied from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages by the Romans and, the Suebi, it has been a witness of history, place of countless findings and strategic relevance. Accordingly due to its archaeological importance, as well as the interest that it can create within the architecture field we choose to examine its' patrimony as a case study. The following dissertation is divided into five chapters: Context - Patrimony and theory; Context - The Castros and The Castro; Identification and Interpretation - The Castro; The examples and Project - O Sítio Arqueológico, os caminhos e o Lugar dos Aidos. This structure enables us to organize the information related to our case study accordingly and offer an architectural solution to the present prevailing situation. Initially we go on a "journey" around the theory of patrimonial interventions, based on three key-words: memory, time and context. Subsequently, we begin our approach to the case study, addressing the castrejo context in the northwest of the peninsula, and follow with presentation of the Castro de Alvarelhos. In the consecutive chapter, we present the different phases of occupation of the settlement and propose some hypotheses. Afterwards, we explore other case studies, to understand and explore a greater number of realities and architectural solutions. Finally, we present our architectural proposal for the Castro de Alvarelhos, redirecting the focus to three fundamental points: o sítio arqueológico, os caminhos e o Lugar dos Aidos. After 110 years of national recognition as a monument, the visit and study resources are still scarce. Recognizing the knowledge that future generations can draw from our ancestors, we intend to serve as the "bridge of time", offering keys to the past to the future.