09/06/2023
One of the must-see attractions here in Boticas is the Galician Roman Warrior statue. Our visitors that are focused on fitness make it a daily ritual to climb the rocky and steep hills in order to get a good look at our warrior.
You can also bike, buggy or ATV your way up those tough climbs in order to get to the statue.
Whatever your preferred method of transportation, my advice is for you to put this Galician Warrior statue on you list when you come over and Discover Boticas.
Below is some interesting info on the Galician Roman Warrior statue that I found while performing some searches on the Internet.
See you soon!
-TJ
------GALECIAN ROMAN WARRIOR STATUE IN BOTICAS------
A carved monolith representing the figure of a Warrior [2nd Iron Age, pre-Roman, 1th century AC], standing erect and still. It was found with another similar piece, probably in the 18th century [two more headless statues were found subsequently, in the 20th century] in the large Lesenho castrum (pre-Roman fortification), [at an altitude of 1075 metres] in Campos, parish of S. Salvador de Viveiro, Municipality of Boticas. This site is regarded as the most important Lusitanian castrum in Portugal and has been classified as a site of public interest (D.R. n.º 29/90 of 17 July).The warrior is clothed in a sagum, a military cloak, abundantly decorated with geometric motifs of chains of concentric circles and checks, cut low in a V and with short sleeves. Around the waist is a broad belt with four parallel ribs.The head is in proportion, with short hair revealing the ears, and is moustached and bearded.He is bearing the following weapons: "caetra" a short shield, round and flat [a typical round shield], with a boss, decorated with a labyrinth design, held on the forearm of the left hand by means of crossed straps; in the right hand he holds a short, triangular dagger with a discoid pommel, inserted in a sheath with a rounded form for the blade and transverse lines, possibly from cross-bands.Around the neck is a torque [or torc, a necklace of twisted metal, typically worn by Warriors of the period], with an opening, and, on each arm, a viriae, or bracelet, with three bands.The Galician Warrior is the best exponent of National Archeology and represents, according to experts in this area, the Divine image and the warlike nature of the pre-Roman civilisations that formerly dwelt in this region.The four statues of Galician Warriors that were discovered in the imposing Lesenho Castro are currently in Lisbon, in the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia e Etnologia (National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology), where the two in the best state of preservation form the focal point, the real masterpiece, of the Museum.
ChatGPT
A magnificent monolithic sculpture depicting a valiant Warrior from the second Iron Age, predating Roman influence, dating back to the 1st century AD, has been unearthed. This remarkable artifact, alongside a similar piece, was discovered, possibly during the 18th century (followed by the unearthing of two more headless statues in the 20th century), within the vast Lesenho castrum, a pre-Roman fortification situated at an impressive altitude of 1075 meters in Campos, parish of S. Salvador de Viveiro, Municipality of Boticas. Recognized as Portugal's most significant Lusitanian castrum, this site holds the esteemed classification of being a place of public interest (D.R. n.º 29/90 of 17 July).
The Warrior stands upright and motionless, draped in a sagum, a lavishly adorned military cloak adorned with intricate patterns of concentric circles and checkered designs. The garment is cut in a V-shape with short sleeves, while a wide belt boasting four parallel ribs encircles the waist. The Warrior's well-proportioned head features short hair that exposes the ears, accompanied by a mustache and a beard. In his grasp, he wields a "caetra," a characteristic round and flat short shield adorned with a labyrinthine motif, securely fastened to his left forearm with crossed straps. Furthermore, his right hand firmly clutches a triangular dagger with a disc-shaped pommel, enclosed within a sheath exhibiting a rounded form for the blade and transverse lines that could potentially represent crossbands. Completing his attire, a torque, a twisted metal necklace traditionally worn by warriors of this era, graces his neck, while each arm boasts viriae, bracelets characterized by three bands.
Regarded as the pinnacle of National Archaeology, the Galician Warrior exemplifies the divine image and martial spirit prevalent among the pre-Roman civilizations that once inhabited this region, according to esteemed experts in the field. Presently, the four Galician Warrior statues discovered within the grand Lesenho Castro find themselves housed in Lisbon's Museu Nacional de Arqueologia e Etnologia (National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology). Within the museum, the two best-preserved statues take center stage, captivating visitors as the true masterpieces of the collection.
