Iberian settlement of Plana Basarda (Santa Cristina d'Aro)

At an altitude of 300 meters, in the foothills of the Ardenya mountains and overlooking the Ridaura valley, the Iberian settlement of Plana Basarda invites you to experience life as it was more than two thousand years ago. The settlement was inhabited between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. Its name derives from Basart, a former landowner.

The choice of this plateau was related to the context in which the settlement was built: a time of tribal conflict. A wall reinforced its defenses on the more easily accessible side. The settlement's location and this defensive structure are two elements that help explain why this site was chosen.

The settlement had a water cistern and about thirty silos carved into the rocky ground. These cavities held the grain that fed the village. The water and food reserves offer another perspective on the site: in addition to defense, they allow us to consider the daily needs of its inhabitants.

There are also indications of a central street, a detail that points to the internal organization of the space. As for its dimensions, the settlement would have covered an area of about two hectares, approximately 20,000 square meters. This estimate gives you a reference point to understand the size of the settlement.

To discover Plana Basarda, keep these elements in mind: the plateau, the defensive structure at the entrance, the cistern, the silos, and the traces of the street. Each one contributes a piece to understanding the history of the settlement. If you are interested in the Iberian past, this set of data allows you to connect the landscape with how a community settled and organized itself in this place.