Celtiberian hillfort of Peña Moñuz

Celtiberian hill fort of Peña Moñúz

The Celtiberian Hillfort of Peña Muñoz (4th-2nd centuries B.C.) is located within the Dehesa de la Olmeda belonging to the village of Olmeda de CobetaIt is situated on a high rocky limestone spur, at an altitude of 1240 metres above sea level, in a small valley that stands out in the landscape and from which there is ample visual control of the surroundings.

Peña Moñuz, it has the characteristics of a Celtiberian settlement fortified, and it is this fortification which stands out for its complexity. The defensive system is composed of an outer belt of driven stones, or "Friesian Horses The line was dug to prevent access by infantry or cavalry. Behind this line, a pit in the bedrock that served as a second line of defence. And behind the ditch, a powerful 3-metre wall wide, made of large limestone blocks, arranged in two sections of 59 and 63 metres, which are joined at an angle, reaching a total length of 112 metres.

It has a interior surface area of 3,690m² and is occupied by large rectangular-shaped dwellings built with stone plinths and built with rammed earth. They have interior subdivisions with several hearths and abundant remains of domestic crockery. In addition, the following can be distinguished two phases of occupationThe first is an older one and the one we see today, which corresponds to the Celtiberian castro or settlement between the 4th-3rd centuries BC Subsequently, an early medieval settlement from the Visigothic or perhaps Emirate period was superimposed on the earlier remains.

Since 2006 the site is undergoing excavations Systematic excavations are uncovering not only the entire defensive system, but also the interior urban layout. This is little known, although the excavations carried out have identified mixed constructions, such as terraced houses with the back leaning against the wall and free-standing buildings in the central part of the settlement.

At present it is not ready for visits because excavations are still continuing, but we recommend that all nature lovers take one of the routes that take us to this place because it is set in a beautiful meadow that is well worth visiting, and although we do not find additional information on the site, we can enjoy and get to know the views and the location where this people lived.

If you would like more information, here you will find more information about what this settlement was once like.

<< How to get there?

The best and most advisable way to visit this Celtiberian hill fort of Peña Moñúz is to go to the village of Olmeda de Cobetaand take the layout of one of the routes that pass through there. If we leave from the village, we have to look for Calvario street and go up the dirt track to a crossroads on our right that we will find signposted and where, if we prefer, we can get there with our vehicle and leave it parked without any problems.

From here the route is a short walk in good shade as we cross a magical forest. You can't get lost, there are few of them, but you will find the necessary signs to get to the impressive Peña Moñuz hillfort without any problems.