Hillforts were the most common type of settlement in the hearth of Europe during the Early Iron Age. They were established on elevated positions and enclosed with ramparts built with a combination of stone, wood and earth. The type and shape of the ramparts was determined by the terrain, improving defense by often running along the edges of steep slopes and sinkholes.

Compared to the hillforts of the Iron Age, the preceding Bronze Age examples were predominantly smaller and lacked stone ramparts. New, enclosed settlements with larger interior area and surrounded by stone ramparts and terraces replaced the former encampments. Hillforts became seats of nobility (fürstensitz) - the homes of Hallstatt princes and their people.

Some hillforts became regional centers, overshadowing their neighboring settlements. A prime example of such a center is Cvinger near Sticna, in present-day Slovenia, where an over 2 km long wall protected an area of 20 hectares, making it comparable to the most influential Hallstatt and contemporary Etruscan centers. It was a structured area with the housing area, complex entrance area, metallurgy and crafting area and tumuli barrows. Throughout history, it has yielded many rich graves and pieces of art and battle equipment. The legend of its might was passed on through oral tradition even into the modern age, capturing imaginations of many.


Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1mnK9tpEvz9UgeVWuUh8fPF…

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Learn more about the history in the heart of Europe:    • History in the heart of Europe  

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