Castro de Chao Museum in Samartín

The Castro de Chao de Samartín Museum is situated in the village of Castro, in Grandas de Salime, next to the ruins of the archaeological site.

The settlement dates back to the Bronze Age, around 800 BC, when the first fortified enclosure was built on the upper plateau. During the Iron Age, its defences were renovated on several occasions and, from the 4th century BC onwards, the settlement featured moats, walls, dwellings, a communal building, a sauna and metallurgical workshops involved in the processing of gold, silver and bronze.

In Roman times, the castro became an important administrative centre. New construction techniques and materials were introduced, and notable structures were built, such as a square and a stately home or domus, whilst the sauna was also extended. In the mid-2nd century AD, a powerful earthquake destroyed the settlement. Later, during the Early Middle Ages, a necropolis was established on the site, which was used during the Asturian Monarchy.

Archaeological excavations officially began in 1990 and were carried out regularly until 2009, as part of the Navia-Eo Basin Archaeological Plan. This work enabled the recovery of a valuable collection of artefacts and brought to light one of the most significant ‘castro’ settlements in western Asturias. The Castro de Chao de Samartín has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest by the Principality of Asturias.

The museum, built in 2007 on a hillside near the site, offers a panoramic view of the site and its surroundings. Its permanent exhibition explains the origin and evolution of the fortified settlements in western Asturias and brings together artefacts mainly from Chao Samartín, as well as finds from other sites in the region, such as Os Castros de Taramundi and Monte Castrelo de Pelóu.

Access to the archaeological site is by guided tour only; independent visits are not permitted. Tours depart from the museum and visitors are advised to arrive at least half an hour before their chosen tour time.

Distances: from Grandas de Salime: 6 km, approximately 5 minutes; and from Navia: 69 km, approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.