Arnado: Pazo history, Way of Saint James and vineyards

The Camino Natural Vía Nova leads to Arnado. Access to the village runs through an arch beneath the Pazo de Arnado, also known as Castillo de Torre Penela. The Camino Natural Vía Nova and this architecturally distinctive access route are therefore among Arnado’s specific connections to walking routes.

Culture and history

The Pazo de Arnado, also called Castillo de Torre Penelas, is a building from the late 19th century in the parish of San Clemente de Arnado. As Castillo de Torre Penelas, the building has a second name. Pedro Sanjurjo Flórez had the Pazo built as a symbol of his love for Pilar Argudín. After Pedro Sanjurjo Flórez’s death in 1920, construction remained unfinished. The personal occasion, construction period and unfinished state are therefore part of the history of the same building. The building’s history combines a private occasion with its unfinished state following the death of its patron in 1920.

The Igrexa Parroquial de San Xoán is located on the Camino de Invierno, a route of the Way of Saint James. The church grounds of the Igrexa Parroquial de San Xoán include the Cruceiro do Adro. In the same village centre of Arnado is the chapel Nosa Señora dos Remedios, a listed example of religious architecture. Casa de O Pazo, a listed example of civil architecture, is also located in the same village centre. Religious and civil architecture therefore stand side by side in the same village centre, while the Igrexa Parroquial de San Xoán is located on a named route of the Way of Saint James.

Festivals and viticulture

At the end of July, Arnado celebrates the traditional festivals in honour of San Pedro. During these festivals, cultural and leisure activities take place within the municipality. Viticulture is an important part of agriculture in Arnado. The municipality of Vilamartín de Valdeorras belongs to the Denominación de Origen Valdeorras area. The festivals and agriculture are assigned to different geographical contexts: the activities take place within the municipality, while viticulture is part of agriculture in Arnado. Traditional festivals with fixed dates can only be sensibly scheduled if the event dates and start times are checked before the trip.

Other places

Other places at the same level are Seixalbo, Taboadela, Os Peares, A Manchica, Compostela, Casdenodres, Manzaneda and A Veiga.

Routes and landscape

From Vilamartín, a road follows the Sil to Arnado. It crosses the river over a bridge and then turns left towards the village. The road route therefore includes the Sil, the bridge and the subsequent turn towards Arnado.

The route from Arnado via Correxais and Fervenza passes through areas with chestnut trees, cherry trees and vineyards. Chestnut trees, cherry trees and vineyards are therefore part of the same route. The municipality of Vilamartín de Valdeorras lists the Ruta Da Santa Compaña as one of its hiking routes. When hiking routes are involved, preparation includes checking the current route and the conditions on the day of travel.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.