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The Ribera Sacra route |
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We begin our itinerary in O Carballino, known for its spa baths and thermal fountains full of medicinal and therapeutic properties. The most important monuments here are the Vera Cruz modernist temple by Antonio Palacios and the numerous popular architect style houses. In this municipality, neighbour to Borborás, you'll find various Roman churches and the Baroque monastery of San Clodio in the surrounding area.
On the local road we arrive at Rivadavia, capital of the famous Ribera wine. Conserved here there is a magnificent old Jewish quarter, the 15th century Sarmiento castle, the San Domingo Gothic church, the renaissance Casa do Concello tower, the church of Santiago which has a museum, the Marqués de Baamonde house which also has a museum inside, the Ethnology of Rivadavia, the Roman church of San Xoán, the ancient pilgrims hospital and the Inquisition house. Taking the N-120 we pass through the town of Ourense. There are various prominent monuments here including the Fuente As Burgas natural spring, known since the Roman times with its high temperature thermal waters, the cathedral of San Martín which has various different artistic styles, the Consistorial house in Baroque Gallego style, the chapel of Los Santos Cosme and Damián, founded by Juan de Lares at the beginning of the 16th century, the former college of the Jesuits -the Santa Eufemia church and last but not least the towns most emblematic monument the Puente Mayor bridge. Taking the road until Sober, which has an important tradition of pottery production, we can admire the impressive canyons of the river Sil. We take a detour on the C-536 until Castro Caldelas, where we find the Castillo de los Lemos, head office to the museum of popular architecture. From Castro Caldelas we take another local road on to Texeira, where we can see the recently restored Casa Fuerte. On the same road we carry on to Parada do Sil, where we find the monastery of Santa Cristina and the chapel of San Antonio. We return and pass through the capital of the province and join the C-540 on to Celonova, a lovely place with many of the medieval traditions preserved. Here we can enjoy the tower of the 14th century castle, the 10th century monastery San Salvador, the processional cloister fountain and the ancient Mozarabic San Miguel oratory. On the C-531 now we pass through Xinzo de Limia and change onto a local road arriving at Cortegada, well known for its health spa waters, its 11th century Roman monastery the San Pedro de Ramirás and the hill fort Castromano. We end our interesting journey in the locality of Allariz, situated on the banks of Arnoia, with important monuments such as the Roman church of Santiago or Santa Mariña de Augas Santas and the Santa Clara monastery. |
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