Discover Coiro: Baroque Church, Pilgrimage and Fervenza de Fírvado

Culture and History

If you are interested in dated religious buildings, the Igrexa Parroquial de Santa María de Coiro provides a specific historical detail through its construction during the Baroque period. This church includes a three-part bell tower whose structure is characterised by three clearly distinguishable sections. Inside the church are two processional crosses, which form part of the sacred furnishings of the Igrexa. One was made by the silversmith Jorge Cedeira. The other cross was made by the goldsmith Rodrigo de Pardiñas, who came from Santiago, and is dated to 1587.

The Capela da Virxe do Monte was built in 1615 on the orders of Bartolomé Franco. Its rectangular nave defines the basic form of the building. The walls are made of granite blocks, providing a precisely identified building material for the chapel. The roof has both two-sided and three-sided roof surfaces. A tiled covering completes the description of this roof.

Routes and Festivals

The A Romaxe pilgrimage takes place at the Capela da Virxe do Monte on the last Sunday in August. A Romaxe is celebrated in honour of the Virgin and therefore has an explicitly religious purpose. The Capela da Virxe do Monte is located on the Camino de Fisterra-Muxía. The Cruceiro do Cirolán is also located on the Camino de Fisterra-Muxía. Its sculpture is attributed to the sculptor Francisco María Rodeiro Permuy, who came from Santiago.

Local History and Architectural Forms

Coiro was mentioned in 9th-century donations by Count Alvito under the name Courio, with both the author and historical period precisely identified. The rectory of Santa María de Coiro has an L-shaped floor plan. This rectory includes an enclosed courtyard. The windows are framed by moulded surrounds. A sundial is also one of the architectural elements of the rectory. The Festa Anxo da Garda in Vilar forms part of the festival calendar of the parish of Coiro.

In Vilar de Coiro there is a chapel dating from the late 18th century. This chapel is dedicated to Anxo da Garda, whose name also appears in the parish festival calendar.

Thus, both sacred interiors and distinctive architectural forms are central to Coiro and Vilar de Coiro. The buildings mentioned differ in their period of construction, their design and their furnishings: in addition to granite blocks, various roof surfaces and tiled roofing, the surviving architectural features also include an L-shaped floor plan, an enclosed courtyard, moulded window surrounds and a sundial.

Water and Landscape

Fervenza de Fírvado is not signposted, an aspect that should be explicitly taken into account when visiting this natural attraction. It can be reached by following the course of the river. The main cascade of Fervenza de Fírvado is located where it meets the Beba River. Beba is a tributary of the Xallas.

For the overarching travel overview: Sada.