Brión: Fortress, Churches and Trails

The Torres de Altamira Fortress is located in Brión, on the strategic site of a hillfort acropolis. The fortress dates back to the 9th century and had six towers. Its complex included living areas for the owners as well as for the servants. There was also a chapel dedicated to the Three Kings.

The fortress thus combines its strategic location with a clearly defined historical period and several different areas within the complex. The towers, living quarters and chapel each represent a different function of the medieval complex.

Culture and History

The Santuario de Santa Minia is located in the centre of Pedrouzos. The large, rectangular building is made of granite and is unfinished. Its architectural and decorative elements are executed in the Baroque style.

The oldest parts of the Pazo de Trasouteiro may date back to the 14th century. The pazo was later remodelled several times, particularly in the 17th century.

Work has been carried out at the Igrexa de San Xiao de Bastavales since 1768. The church has a Latin cross floor plan and a single nave. It faces west so that the towers of Santiago Cathedral can be seen from its main entrance.

In Brión, the buildings described here bring together different periods: a fortress from the 9th century, possibly the oldest parts of the Pazo de Trasouteiro from the 14th century, Baroque elements of the Santuario de Santa Minia, and the ongoing construction history of the Igrexa de San Xiao de Bastavales since 1768.

Trails

As Pegadas de Rosalía is a cultural circular route. It connects Santiago de Compostela, Ames, Brión, Padrón and Dodro. The route can be travelled by bus, on foot or by bicycle.

The historic hiking route begins at the Igrexa de San Xulián de Luaña. It ends at the Igrexa de Santa María de Ons. The Santo Arandel hiking route begins and ends at the Carballeira do Santo Arandel.

Another hiking route in Brión runs along the Río Traba, between the Ponte dos Carros and the Ponte da Igrexa.

Santo Arandel remains linked to the Carballeira do Santo Arandel, while the route along the Río Traba is defined by the two bridges at either end.

Nature

The section reached along the Río Sar has been included in the Natura 2000 network as a specially protected area and is part of the LIC Sistema fluvial Ulla-Deza.

The natural section along the Río Sar is therefore associated both with a European protection network and with the LIC Sistema fluvial Ulla-Deza.

Festivals

The Romaría de Santa Minia takes place every year on 27 September. It includes musical performances, gastronomy and various sociocultural activities. In Brión, the Romaría de Santa Minia was officially recognised as a festival of tourist interest in Galicia on 26 August.

The date, programme and recognition are independent features of the Romaría de Santa Minia: the annually specified 27 September stands alongside music, gastronomy and sociocultural activities; official recognition in Galicia took place on 26 August.

Other places: Arteixo, Santiso, Ponteceso, Mouromorto, Noia, Santiago De Compostela, Paizás, Condomiña

For the higher-level travel overview: Coruña.