The Fonte do Cruzeiro at Largo do Cruzeiro continues to serve two purposes: it functions as a fountain and also has the religious function of a cross. The area also features distinctive landscape formations and archaeological rock art. These different points of interest give Bustelo a distinct character: a named fountain, a landscape of hills and watercourses, and a site with numerous motifs carved into granite. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Bustelo, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: should the cultural landscape, the rock art, or both be the main focus?

Finding your way by road

For finding your way around, the EM 507-2 junction is a precise reference point: it connects the EM 507 at Seara with Bustelo.

Hills, watercourses and terrain

Santa Bárbara is a prominent hill situated above two watercourses. The watercourses cross the terrain from northwest to southeast in the direction of the village of Bustelo. The hill’s location, as well as the number and direction of the watercourses, are therefore part of the specific landscape. Fraga das Passadas offers a different topographical perspective. The rock art site lies on the southern slope of Alto da Sobreira, in Monte de Elhos, in a natural amphitheatre where several seasonal streams rise. The two descriptions emphasize different features: directional watercourses and a prominent hill on the one hand, and an amphitheatre with seasonal streams on the other. The landscape thus provides the spatial setting for the rock carvings.

The motifs of Fraga das Passadas

Fraga das Passadas is a large, low-lying granite outcrop with numerous rock carvings. The motifs include 99 podomorphs, or depictions of feet, as well as hands, crosses, U-shaped motifs, dates and letters. The figure 99 refers specifically to the podomorphs; the other motifs add further forms and signs to this numbered group. This makes it possible to distinguish the precise count from the variety of other depictions. The granite material and low-lying form also describe the outcrop on which the different motifs are found.

Location and archaeological classification

The site is located in the hamlet of Souto/Barrosa, in the Freguesia of Bustelo, in the Concelho of Chaves and the District of Vila Real. These place names locate it from the specific hamlet through to the higher-level administrative units: Souto/Barrosa is the hamlet, Bustelo the Freguesia, Chaves the Concelho and Vila Real the district. Santa Bárbara and Alto da Bandeira are considered closely related archaeological sites. They may possibly form a single site associated with a medieval settlement. The comparison distinguishes between two questions: how closely connected the sites are and whether they should be understood as a single site.

For the broader travel overview: Chaves.