La Hoya Ancient Settlement - arabaturismo

The visit allows you to appreciate the layout of the old town, with streets, squares and blocks of house, and to learn even more about it from the exhibition in the adjacent interpretation centre.

The first settlement on the site dates back to the 15th century BC, when Indo-European settlers arrived from Central Europe and made contact with the megalithic cultures that existed in the area. The settlement was defended already defended during this period with a rampart, first of wood and then stone, some 370 meters of which are still preserved.

People continued to arrive from Central Europe, coming into contact with this tribe and bringing new knowledge. In about the 4th century BC the Celtiberians from Spain’s high central plateau invaded the area and forcibly took possession of the settlement, as well as introducing a more developed, higher culture.

To begin with, the settlement developed around the inside perimeter of the palisade, however, with the arrival of the Celtiberians it was restructured with blocks of houses, with offset intersections to avoid channelling the wind. Many of the houses had porticos to prevent them getting wet when it rained and the streets were cobbled.

Initially the houses were made of wood and then later with stone bases and adobe walls with wooden frames. They were divided into entrance, kitchen and store, with a thatched straw roof.

As a result of the Celtiberians arriving, the settlement experienced a notable development thanks to their technical and economic innovations, which was reflected in a high crop yield. The result was a growth in bartering and La Hoya soon became a major commercial and organizational centre within the territory.

The settlement was abandoned in about the 3rd century BC, for reasons unknown.

Further Information

This interesting archaeological site was excavated during the last quarter of the 20th century.

The La Hoya Interpretation Centre explains the characteristics and daily life in the settlement during the time it was inhabited -approx. Between 1200 BC (Middle/Late Bronze age) and 250 BC (Iron Age II) - The assault, fire and collapse suffered by the settlement in its most splendid moment “froze” the thriving activity of a market day, the remains of which remained buried but intact until their discovery.

In addition to touring the site, which includes its layout, with streets, squares and block of houses around them, in the centre there is a model of the settlement during the Iron Age II period and an actual size reproduction of one of its houses with the different rooms and the objects found in them.

Location

The La Hoya settlement is located in the municipality ogf Laguardia Laguardia is 48 kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz, taking the A-2124a through the Puerto de Vitoria mountain pass and the BU- to reach the N-232a which takes us to our destination. This is an interesting scenic route but it is also possible to go via the A-1, N-124 and the N-232a.

Laguardia is less than 20 kilometres from Logroño via the N-232a.