Lugo: Roman History, Ways of St. James and River Landscapes

Culture and history

The Roman Walls of Lugo date from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and are an exceptional architectural, archaeological and structural testament to Roman engineering. The Castelo de Pambre represents a completely different era: Gonzalo Ozores de Ulloa had it built around 1375. The complex is recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural and is considered an outstanding example of medieval military architecture in Galicia. Within the walled area stands the Igrexa Parroquial de San Pedro de Pambre, a small church of Romanesque tradition with a single nave and an approximately square presbytery.

In the south of the province of Lugo, there are up to 47 Romanesque churches. The official Camino de Invierno also runs through this area. The Ruta Transrománica is recognised as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and includes a selection of ten churches from ten municipalities in the Ribeira Sacra. The Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Camino Francés routes cross the province of Lugo and are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Castro de Viladonga in Castro de Rei is a characteristic castro settlement in the interior of Galicia, inhabited approximately until the 5th century AD. The most important remains discovered during the excavations are displayed in the archaeological museum at the site. The museums of the province cover, among other subjects, sacred art, archaeology, geology, ethnography, decorative arts, the Ways of St. James and maritime heritage.

Landscape

The province of Lugo stretches from Isla Coelleira in the north to the Cadeiras viewpoint in the municipality of Sober in the south. In between, different landscapes alternate and can be experienced without travelling long distances. The Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve covers 40 percent of the province of Lugo. The protected Miño-Neira area, located within this biosphere reserve, offers walking trails and riverside recreational areas. The protected area also includes the Neira River from the village of Ponte de Neira to its confluence with the Miño.

The Miño-Neira area features extensive riparian forests, including a wooded river island, as well as agricultural landscapes with hedgerows. In Viveiro, the Souto da Retorta is designated a natural monument. In addition to the Abuelo de Chavín, around 600 other large specimens belong to this stand. Near Quiroga lies the Campodola-Leixazós Fold, a geologically significant formation of scientific interest that has remained practically unchanged since the Lower Carboniferous. Its internal structure is visible in a large cross-section exposed by erosion and the incision of the Ferreiriño River.

Routes and activities

The province of Lugo has more than 800 kilometres of Ways of St. James, including all variants, which can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Hiking options include trails associated with Mustallar, Tres Bispos and Pía Paxaro. A cycle path runs parallel to the footpath along the Paseo do Río Rato. Along the route there are benches, bridges, springs and small waterfalls; frogs, ducks, grey herons and dippers can also be observed.

Wine and regional specialities

The Ruta del Vino de la Ribeira Sacra combines wine and landscape. It includes wineries, restaurants and other food-service establishments, handicrafts, museums, specialist shops and further complementary activities. Cheese culture is also represented by four protected designations of origin: in the province of Lugo, the cheeses Tetilla, San Simón, Cebreiro and Arzúa-Ulloa are protected by these designations of origin.

Getting there

The main road connections to the province of Lugo include the A8 and N-634 from Asturias and Cantabria, the A6 and N-VI from Madrid, and the N-540 and N-120 from Ourense. Rail access includes the stations in Lugo and Monforte de Lemos, as well as the FEVE line Ferrol–Oviedo–Gijón along the A Mariña Lucense.

Other places: Foz, Ourol, San Cosme De Barreiros, Viveiro, Trabada, Sarria, Ribadeo, Rábade, O Outeiro, Monforte De Lemos, Lugo, Incio, Guitiriz, Fonsagrada, Chantada, Cervo, Barreiros, Antas De Ulla, O Corgo, Ferreira, Folgoso Do Courel, Outeiro De Rei, Chao De Pousadoiro, Sober, Palas De Rei, Mondoñedo, Portomarín, Samos, O Vicedo, Cospeito, Castro De Rei, Donís, Lourenzá, Burela, Vilaxoán, Coence, Ferreira De Pantón, Quiroga, Adelán, Carballido, Rinlo, Lago, Meira, Xermade, Bascuas, Becerreá, Pena, Merille, Alence, A Lobagueira, Novelúa, Hortás, Noceda, A Pontenova, Carballedo, Doade, Reigosa, Campa, Chamoso, Bembribe, Pidre, Caldelas, Bispo, Lama, Valverde, Saa, Bóveda, Airoá, Fonte De Cervos, Pedrafita Do Cebreiro, Begonte, Vilalba, Monterroso, Argozón, A Ermida, Chavín, A Airoá, Camposo, Bolmente, Vilamelle, Ourol de Arriba, Fonfría, Ribas de Sil, O Corral de Abaixo, Santo Estevo, A Pobra do Brollón, Mera, Meirengos, Sabenche, Campos de Vila, Faro, Lagoa, Trobo, Pacios, Vilamor, A Veiga de Logares, Triacastela, Estelo, Randulfe, San Cibrao, Piñeira, Xove, Friol, Vilar, Braña, Surribas, Nespereira, Goiriz, Castelo, Casacamiño, Frontón, Baralla, Baleira, Valbón.

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