Pico de la Muela

High ground above the Gritos

Around four kilometres from the Roman city of Valeria, in the municipality of Las Valeras, a hill rises above the River Gritos. Three field seasons from 1975 to 1977 found dwelling structures, chiefly within a rectangular enclosure, and material from a long occupation: from the Bronze Age to Roman times, with people returning to live on the hill in the Middle Ages. The catalogue of grey Iberian pottery describes it as a small settlement of the 4th century BC.

A 1985 report studied the animal remains recovered.

Fifty years later

In 2025 excavations resumed with funding from Cuenca Provincial Council (Diputación de Cuenca). Initial results refer to Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Visigothic, Islamic and medieval Christian layers, but no report has yet been published.

Plan your visit

Before you travel

This is a site under investigation, not prepared for visitors: do not collect anything or tread on excavation sections.

Combine with

Valeria and the River Gritos gorge.