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Temples of Stone: Exploring the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland

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<< Our Photo Pages >> Ulaca - Castro or Chafurdão in Spain in Castilla y León

Submitted by ernar on Tuesday, 12 October 2004  Page Views: 8767

Iron Age and Later PrehistorySite Name: Ulaca
Country: Spain
NOTE: This site is 10.228 km away from the location you searched for.

Region: Castilla y León Type: Castro or Chafurdão
Nearest Town: Ávila  Nearest Village: Villaviciosa
Latitude: 40.529652N  Longitude: 4.885475W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
2 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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Ulaca
Ulaca submitted by ernar : Although very weathered and almost natural in appearance, this rock is one of the many carved sentry points found in the defensive perimeter of Ulaca. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Castro in Castilla y León. The Castro of Ulaca is the ancient capital of the Vettones (a Celtic Tribe). Though not very thoroughly excavated, the Castro is dated as far back as S.V BC and was supposedly abandoned by S.I/II AD when the Roman conquerors forced the local population to more accessible sites in the Amblés Valley.

The economy of the city was mainly based on the agricultural exploitation of the lowlands of the Amblés valley, together with cattle herding in the humid north face of the Sistema Central Mountains.

The fortified oppida of Ulaca – which could more properly be described as a fortified mountain – covered an impressive total of 60ha at its peak. Within the site, the remains of several types of buildings can be found: uncountable rectangular huts, a sauna, what is considered a temple and sacrificial altar, a quarry, a fortified tower, carved watch posts and of course the fortifications.

To reach the site, take the N-502 from Ávila until you reach the village of Solosancho. Once there take the left fork to the small village of Villaviciosa. The Castro’s will be the mountain to the left of the village, with the entrance signposted a bit further along the road.

To reach the ancient town of Ulaca, leave the car at the entrance (there is a small parking area) and climb the mountain following the yellow concrete blocks set for that purpose. Mind that it is a long climb! Once through the gates there are 14 visitor stations illustrating the key areas of the Castro. Be careful! At least one is missing and we couldn’t find Nº14 after a long and strenuous walk. Also, the distances within the Castro are deceiving, with ravines and small hills within it so watch out.
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Ulaca
Ulaca submitted by ernar : Site in Castilla y León This site has been interpreted as a temple. The carved stairs would reach the altar and the carved pools on the right side would hold the blood of the animal sacrifices. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ulaca
Ulaca submitted by ernar : his site has been interpreted as a sauna. There are two rooms excavated in pure rock. The smallest and lowest one was supposed to hold the heated water, while the bigger upper one would provide comfortable quarters. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ulaca
Ulaca submitted by ernar : Site in Castilla y León The sight from behind the entrance gate is impressive. All the Amblés valley can be seen in front of you while the northern side of the 2000m high Sistema Central Mountains is located to your left and back. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ulaca
Ulaca submitted by ernar : The very first sight of the Castro after the strenuous climb. The toppled ramparts are all that is left of the once proud main gates of the city of Ulaca. (Vote or comment on this photo)

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Nearby Images from Flickr
Castro de Ulaca
Castro de Ulaca
Altar de los sacrificios. Atardecer
Yuka.
Headless.
Castro de Ulaca (Solosancho)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 18.1km NW 309° Necrópolis Medieval de La Coba Ancient Village or Settlement
 20.9km NE 48° Vettonia Museum* Museum
 21.8km NNW 343° Castro de la Mesa de Miranda* Castro or Chafurdão
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 28.7km NE 56° Dolmen de Bernuy* Passage Grave
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 45.4km SE 124° Toros de Guisando* Sculptured Stone
 46.3km SE 130° Las Cogotas. Castro or Chafurdão
 49.1km SE 130° Piedra Escrita* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 55.6km SW 226° El Raso de Candeleda Castro or Chafurdão
 61.1km WNW 298° Éjeme: El Canturral Round Barrow(s)
 61.1km WNW 292° La Ermita Round Barrow(s)
 61.3km W 275° El Teriñuelo Passage Grave
 62.1km W 276° Dehesa de Aldeavieja Castro or Chafurdão
 62.9km WNW 300° Alba de Tormes: El Torrejón Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 65.2km W 276° Cabezuela de Salvatierra Round Barrow(s)
 68.3km SW 228° Vega del Nino Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 68.4km SW 228° Cruz del Pobre Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 70.4km SW 230° Cerro del Tejar Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 76.0km SW 233° Losar de la Vera Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 76.1km NNE 14° Museo de las Villas Romanas de Almenara-Puras Ancient Village or Settlement
 77.5km NE 34° Domingo García Rock Art
 81.7km W 274° Las Yeguerizas Castro or Chafurdão
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"Ulaca" | Login/Create an Account | 1 comment
  
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Re: Ulaca by davidmorgan on Wednesday, 27 June 2007
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Approximately: 40.529842, -4.885465.
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