Vimianzo: Castle, Megaliths and Crafts

Castro das Barreiras is a cultural and tourist resource in Vimianzo. Construction of Castelo de Vimianzo began in the 13th century. It was rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Culture

Castelo de Vimianzo has walls and a moat. A bridge crosses the moat. In the past, this bridge was a drawbridge. The castle was restored for public use. It is managed by the Vimianzo municipal council. As part of the Muestra de Artesanía al Vivo, various craftspeople work live. They work with Vimianzo lace, linen and pottery. They also work with basketry, straw weaving, ship models and glass jewellery.

History

Asalto ao Castelo takes place on the night of the first Saturday in July. The theatrical performance of Asalto ao Castelo actively involves the audience. The festival is inspired by the Great Irmandiño War. The Great Irmandiño War began throughout Galicia in 1467. Throughout the entire week of Asalto ao Castelo, various restaurants and bars in the town offer the famous “Pinchos irmandiños”. These Pinchos irmandiños are tapas inspired by medieval cuisine. They must not contain ingredients that were introduced after the discovery of America.

Megaliths

The Ruta de los Dólmenes de Vimianzo is a circular route. It can be travelled by car or bicycle. The circular route connects nine megalithic examples of varying character. Arca do Rabós belongs to the Chan do Rabós and Chan do Cabral megalithic necropolis. This megalithic necropolis is one of the largest on the Costa da Morte. Arca do Rabós is a large megalithic monument. Part of its burial mound remains. The surviving part is approximately 20 m in diameter. It is 1.5 m high.

Landscape

Penedos de Pasarela e Traba comprises four peaks. The peaks surround the Traba valley. They reach heights of up to 274 m. The peaks rise to a height of up to 274 m. Penedos de Pasarela e Traba can be climbed on foot from Pasarela in the parish of Calo. Penedos de Pasarela e Traba extends across the municipalities of Laxe and Vimianzo on the Costa da Morte.

Vimianzo therefore brings together different forms of history and craftsmanship. The castle has walls and a moat crossed by a bridge that was formerly a drawbridge, while the restored complex is now managed by the municipal council for public use. The Muestra de Artesanía al Vivo complements this historic setting with demonstrations featuring regional lace, linen, pottery and other traditional crafts.

The festival week also combines historical reenactment and local cuisine. The audience is involved in the theatrical performance of Asalto ao Castelo, while restaurants and bars offer Pinchos irmandiños throughout the week. Their medieval character is defined by the exclusion of ingredients that were only introduced after the discovery of America.

Beyond the town centre, the megalithic route and the landscape lead to further distinctive sites. The nine examples along the circular route comprise megalithic monuments of varying character. At Penedos de Pasarela e Traba, the geographical setting extends from the Traba valley and the four peaks to the municipalities of Laxe and Vimianzo on the Costa da Morte.

Another local page is Reboredo.

Further linked local pages are Monfero, Neda, Cedeira, Laxe, Condomiña, Negreira and O Milladoiro.

For the overarching travel overview: Coruña.