Argozón: Romanesque Churches and Routes

Culture

San Vicente de Argozón is a Romanesque church from the second half of the 12th century. Its floor plan comprises a rectangular nave and a rectangular apse. At the front end of the apse there is a round-arched window with zoomorphic capitals and billet decoration. Thus, this building combines the simple basic form of a nave and apse with a strikingly ornate architectural detail at the apse window.

San Vicenzo de Argozón is listed in the appendix to the decree on the Ribeira Sacra cultural landscape as immovable sacred cultural heritage. The Capela de Gordón is another sacred building that forms part of the local townscape. The chapel dates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Its rectangular floor plan includes a square presbytery and a sacristy added to the side. The building sections are therefore clearly distinguished from one another: the rectangular floor plan is followed by the square presbytery and the side extension of the sacristy.

The interior of the Capela de Gordón contains three altarpieces. These include the altarpiece of the main chapel and two side altarpieces; all three are Baroque. The interior furnishings complement the external architectural features with a specific sequence of Baroque elements. Thus, in the chapel, the main altar area and the two side areas each have a preserved altarpiece of their own.

Routes

San Vicente de Argozón is the eleventh stop on the official Ruta de Montaña, a Romanesque route. The church is therefore incorporated into a defined sequence of Romanesque stations. Its position as the eleventh stop is an integral part of the structure of this route and connects the individual church visit with the course of the named stations.

The municipal Romanesque route is designed as a 46.6 km circular route. It begins in Chantada, runs via O Monte, Argozón, Mouricios, Requeixo and Bermún, and then returns to Chantada. The circular route therefore comprises a defined sequence of six named places or localities between the starting and ending point of Chantada. The complete route remains described as a continuous 46.6 km circular route.

From Chantada, the church of San Vicente de Argozón can be reached via the LU-213 towards Rodeiro; it is approximately 11 km from Chantada. To reach the Capela de Gordón, the route from Chantada also follows the LU-213, here towards Lalín-Santiago, and the distance is approximately 12 km. To reach the church of San Vicente de Argozón, the route from Chantada follows the LU-213 towards Rodeiro; the distance is approximately 11 km. To reach the Capela de Gordón, the route from Chantada follows the LU-213 towards Lalín-Santiago; the distance is approximately 12 km.

Landscape

Argozón borders the Sierra de O Monte Faro on its western side. Monte Faro is included in the Natura 2000 network and designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). Argozón’s western boundary and the formal classification of Monte Faro are therefore part of the geographical information about the place.

Other Places

Other place pages: O Corral de Abaixo, Incio, Sarria, Lourenzá, Campos de Vila, Casacamiño, Saa, Chantada

To the main travel overview: Lugo.