Melide: Pilgrimage Town, Culture and Furelos

Melide is a historic pilgrimage town where the Camino Primitivo meets the Camino Francés. The Camino Francés crosses the emblematic Roman Bridge over the Furelos River on its way towards the village of Furelos.

Other places: Santa Mariña, Vedra, Bandón, Noia, Verdes, Calvos, Nantón, Caldelas

Landscape and Trails

The O Castelo viewpoint is located on a pre-Roman hillfort, where Melide Castle was built in the Middle Ages. O Castelo offers panoramic views of Melide, framed by the Bocelo, Faro and Farelo mountains.

The Ruta de Furelos is 17.92 kilometres long and has a moderate technical difficulty level. It runs mostly along the Furelos River and passes by its recreational area.

The Área Recreativa del Río Furelos includes two outdoor pools, one for adults and one for children. The grounds also feature a children's water slide and a small-boat dock.

Culture and History

The present-day Capilla de San Roque was built in 1949 using materials from the demolished medieval churches of San Pedro and San Roque. The chapel contains medieval tombs of Diego García, Roi Lopes and Inés Eanes.

The Iglesia de Sancti Spiritus belonged to the former monastery or convent of the Third Franciscan Order, which was founded in the 14th century. The Iglesia de Sancti Spiritus retains a 14th-century side chapel and a 15th-century main chapel.

Santa María de Melide is classified as a national monument. The Cruceiro de Melide probably dates from the 14th century and is considered by many to be the oldest cruceiro in Galicia.

The Obra Pía de San Antón and its chapel were founded in 1671 by the archbishop Mateo Segade Bugueiro, who was from Melide. Two stone statues of praying figures from the Capilla de San Antonio were carved from granite in 1674 by Mateo de Prado.

The portal of the Capilla de San Antonio is Baroque in style; the design is attributed to Domingo de Andrade. The Fuente de los Cuatro Caños has a cylindrical basin with four lion-head spouts, which give the fountain its name.

Museums

The Museo da Terra de Melide is an ethnographic and archaeological museum with exhibits dating from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. The Museo Terra de Melide opened on 26 May 2001 in a former pilgrim hospital.

The Museo da Terra de Melide is designated as a museum collection open for visits.

Culinary Traditions

At the Sunday market in Melide, producers and traders offer fruit, cheese, honey, chorizo and traditional gastronomic products throughout the year. The traditional Melindre is made from wheat flour, eggs and butter and covered with a very fine layer of sugar.

The Festa do Melindre e da Repostaría Tradicional da Terra de Melide takes place in the Plaza del Convento in Melide and includes free tastings and product presentations.

To the main travel overview: Coruña.