Discover A Rúa: Vineyards, Heritage and Holiday Apartments

The route between A Rúa and the end of the Embalse de San Martiño is 1.8 kilometres long in total. It takes one hour on foot and half an hour by bicycle. The route is not difficult.

Nature, Trails and Landscape

The A Rúa Vella – Somoza – A Reza route begins in the square of A Rúa Vella. It crosses the N-120 and follows a path to A Pala. From there, it continues along a trail to As Pinguelas. As Pinguelas has a spring with particularly good-quality water. Starting in the square of A Rúa Vella links the route description to the historic quarter, which also serves as a landmark on the Camino de Invierno.

From the Miradoiro de Barranco Rubio, there are extensive and important views to the south over A Rúa and Petín. The Embalse de San Martiño on the River Sil and the extensive vineyards are also visible. The vineyards benefit from the valley’s climatic advantages.

Culture, Wine and History

As Pinguelas is a group of old wine cellars on the banks of the A Rúa stream. The facilities are of great ethnographic and cultural-historical value. They have been included in the Galician Cultural Heritage Catalogue. The wine cellars were specifically designed to make use of natural temperature and humidity conditions for the production and storage of wine. The complex shows how the architecture of the cellars was adapted to the natural conditions required for production and storage. There are several active wineries near As Pinguelas. Visitors can learn about the production of D.O. Valdeorras wines there.

A Rúa Vella is the historic quarter of A Rúa and also serves as a landmark on the Camino de Invierno.

Religious Heritage and Festivals

The Iglesia de Santo Estevo in A Rúa Vella has medieval origins. The Iglesia de Fátima, also known as the Iglesia de Fontei, was built between the 19th and 20th centuries. It is considered an outstanding example of religious architecture in Valdeorras. Every May, the festival in honour of the Virgen de Fátima is celebrated at the Iglesia de Fátima. The church is decorated for the occasion and attracts numerous worshippers. Medieval origins, more recent religious architecture and the May festival thus exist side by side at different locations within the historic townscape.

Another directly associated place is Vilela.

Geographical Setting

The Castillo de Torrenovaes is located in the surroundings of A Rúa. Mount Paxaro is located in the wider regional area around A Rúa. The Pía Paxaro peak is located in the wider regional area around A Rúa. Mount Campín de Murelos is part of the wider regional area around A Rúa. Mount Cabeza de Manzaneda is also located in the wider regional area around A Rúa. The Mosteiro de San Paio de Abeleda is likewise located in the wider regional area around A Rúa.

To the overarching travel overview: Ourense.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Boborás, Drados, Olás, San Cibrao Das Viñas, Sarreaus, Bubaces, Xares.