THE CASTELLOT OF BOLVIR

EL CASTELLOT DE BOLVIR

The archaeological site of Castellot de Bolvir stands at the highest end of La Corona, a natural terrace projecting into the plain of Cerdanya and surrounded by steep slopes which mean that the only access is via the southern slope.

The spot overlooks the western third of the Cerdanya, in pasticular the pass of Isòvol, the natural way in and out of the valley from the west. Moreover, Castellot effectively controls the old roads. On the one hand, behind it runs the old strata ceretana, a possible Roman road, linking Llívia to the Alt Urgell area. And on the other side lies the river Segre, the real backbone of the region, just a few hundred metres away.

It is therefore not surprising that at times when strategies to control the territory were very important, the inhabitants of the Cerdanya region saw in Castellot an excellent place from which to exert their influence.

Archaeological studies have identified three stages of occupation: Cerretanian (4th-3rd centuries BC), Ibero-Roman (2nd-1st centuries BC) and mediaeval (10th-12th centuries).

Unfortunately, the three different settlements stood on the same spot. This means that the three phases overlap one another in different parts of the site, with archaeological and architectural remains appearing from all three periods. It has been the archaeologists’ job to properly interpret each item and so provide a logical, coherent narrative for the development and historical evolution of this spot over time.

So far only between 20 and 30% of the total area of the site has been excavated. Therefore, the information and interpretations that follow will have to be improved and confirmed on the basis of continuing scientific research.

Image 1: Axonometric projection of the Cerretanian phase.

Image 2: Axonometric projection of the Republican phase.

Image 3: Axonometric projection of the mediaeval phase.