The construction of this village dates from the beginning of the third millennium BC. and is part of the process of emergence of fortified settlements in height, on the Lisbon and Setúbal peninsulas, resulting from profound socio-economic transformations. It is one of the largest and best preserved Chalcolithic settlements in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the most emblematic sites for the study of the first agro-metallurgical societies on the Iberian Peninsula.
The complexity of the Castro de Zambujal’s structures suggests that this was the most important centre for the smelting and trade of ore in Portuguese Estremadura, a condition enhanced by the vastness of the Sizandro estuary, which, at the time, formed a natural harbour at the confluence with the Pedrulhos stream, allowing direct access to maritime navigation. Today, perfectly integrated into the surrounding natural landscape and maintained in excellent conditions for study, conservation, and visit, the Castro is a unique attraction for a cultural getaway that cannot be ignored.
