Lens: Pazo de Lens, Cruceiro and Galician Mountains

Culture

Lens is home to Pazo de Lens, whose origins can be dated to the late 15th or early 16th century. In the 18th century, the pazo was renovated and expanded; a large part of the present-day building dates from this period. Two clearly identified construction phases therefore shape the recorded history of Pazo de Lens. Its present form is largely the result of the work carried out in the 18th century, while its origins lie considerably earlier.

Today, Pazo de Lens is used as a private residence. Its current use therefore differs from the historical significance of the building, which derives from its origins, renovation and expansion.

The present-day church building of San Paio de Lens was initiated in the 17th century, according to the owners of Pazo de Lens, by their ancestors. The Cruceiro de Lens, which stands on three square stone bases, is also part of the historic appearance of the village. A stone altar belonging to this Cruceiro de Lens is located between the church of San Paio and the cemetery. The church, cruceiro and altar are connected in the village landscape by their specific spatial arrangement.

The historic architecture extends beyond the pazo and church building into the immediate and wider surroundings of Lens. The palace Pazo do Cotón is located in the immediate vicinity of Lens. The palace Pazo da Peregrina is located in the surroundings of Lens. The palace Pazo de Raxoi is also located in the surroundings of Lens. The palace Pazo de Xelmírez is likewise located in the surroundings of Lens. Pazo do Cotón is therefore situated in the immediate vicinity, while Pazo da Peregrina, Pazo de Raxoi and Pazo de Xelmírez belong to the surroundings of Lens. These palace references continue the historic architecture beyond the immediate pazo and church building.

Other places on the same higher-level hierarchy are Cruces, A Boeira, Seráns, Vila Da Area, O Bosque, Basoñas, Tambre and Ordes.

Nature and landscape

Pazo de Lens is home to the impressive camellia “Pantalones”. It is a Camellia japonica L. and has been included in the Galician Catalogue of Remarkable Trees. The plant is therefore just as much a part of the pazo as the historic building itself, but remains clearly distinct from its architectural history as a botanical element.

The references to mountains also extend from the surroundings into the wider regional area of Lens. The mountain Monte Silvariño is located in the surroundings of Lens. The mountain Monte da Pena is located in the wider regional area of Lens. The mountain Monte das Cruces is located in the wider regional area of Lens. The mountain Monte Miranela is located in the wider regional area of Lens. Monte Silvariño is the only one of the mountains mentioned that is explicitly located in the surroundings of Lens. Monte da Pena, Monte das Cruces and Monte Miranela are situated in the wider regional area. Thus, the closer landscape references stand alongside the broader regional mountain references.

For the higher-level travel overview: Coruña.