Castro Caldelas – Castle, Old Town and Festa dos Fachós

Castro Caldelas is situated on a hill overlooking the banks of the River Edo.

Culture

Today, the Castillo de Castro Caldelas serves as a library, cultural centre and exhibition venue. The Castillo de Castro Caldelas was built in the 14th century by Pedro Fernández de Castro. The complex preserves a double wall, with three towers attached to its outer wall.

The double wall and the three towers define the preserved exterior layout of the castle. At the same time, the building is associated not only with its medieval origins but also fulfils several public functions today.

Inside the Castillo de Castro Caldelas, the Museo Arqueológico y Etnográfico is housed in a palace built in the 16th century. The museum extends over two floors. Archaeological remains and objects from everyday life in the Middle Ages are on display. The old town of Castro Caldelas was declared a historic-artistic site in 1998.

The Church of La Virgen de los Remedios has a viewpoint in its forecourt. The church also serves as a municipal museum.

The viewpoint is therefore located directly in the church forecourt, while the building's museum function also gives it a municipal use.

Festivals

The Festa dos Fachós is celebrated in Castro Caldelas. The festival takes place on the evening of 19 January. The Festa dos Fachós includes a procession around the Castillo de Castro Caldelas. Long straw torches and a straw effigy are part of this procession. It is led by a torch up to 30 metres long.

The evening date of 19 January and the procession around the castle give the festival a clearly defined time and place. The long straw torches, the straw effigy and the torch up to 30 metres long are each part of the sequence described.

Landscape

The Mosteiro de San Paio de Abeleda is a monastery in the vicinity of Castro Caldelas. In the wider regional surroundings of Castro Caldelas lies Castillo de Torrenovaes, a castle.

The Centro del Vino de la Ribeira Sacra is a museum in the wider regional surroundings of Castro Caldelas. The Convento das Clarisas de Monforte, which serves as a museum, is also located in this wider regional area.

Cabeza de Manzaneda is a mountain in the wider regional surroundings of Castro Caldelas. Parque dos Condes is classified there as a park. Alto do Rodicio is a hill in the wider regional surroundings of Castro Caldelas. Parque Ansuiña is also a park in this wider regional area.

Geographical setting

One of the most important road connections is the OU-536. The OU-903/LU-903 is also one of the main road connections. The latter connects Castro Caldelas with Monforte de Lemos.

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Castro Caldelas can use the place name as a natural designation for their stay.

Other places to explore: Vilamartín de Valdeorras, Pazó, Celanova, A Veiga, Sobreira, Leiro, Os Blancos, Ribadavia

For the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.