Celanova: Monastery, Culture and Trails

Culture

The Monastery of San Salvador was founded in Celanova in the 10th century by San Rosendo. The present-day monastery was built through successive renovations between the 16th and 18th centuries. Its layout is arranged around the Baroque processional or Baroque cloister and the Neoclassical Poleiro cloister.

Casa dos Poetas is located in the former family home of Manuel Curros Enríquez and is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). The house features a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Manuel Curros Enríquez, as well as on other authors from Celanova.

The Chapel of San Miguel was founded by Froila and built in 940 in the garden of the Monastery of Celanova. It is considered a jewel of Mozarabic art.

Guided visits to the Monastery of San Salvador and the Chapel of San Miguel take place from Tuesday to Saturday at 11:00, 12:30, 16:30 and 18:00 and cost 2 euros per person.

Trails and Landscape

The San Rosendo section of the Camino Natural del Interior begins in Celanova's main square, in front of the Benedictine Monastery of San Rosendo. The Camino de San Rosendo from Celanova to Ourense is 37.8 kilometres long; the stated walking time is 9.5 hours. The Camino Natural del Interior San Rosendo between Celanova and Ourense passes through deciduous forests with birch, oak and chestnut trees, as well as along rivers, streams, mills, bridges and traditional hórreos.

At just under 900 metres above sea level, Casa da Neve is the route's highest point and offers panoramic views in all four directions.

History

In the surrounding area, Castromao is an important reference point for Castro culture in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula; its use is documented from at least the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD. Castromao offers self-guided visits as well as guided visits by reservation for groups of at least 10 people.

In the surrounding area, the Petroglifos de Freixo archaeological site consists of six groups of concentric circles with a central cup mark near the Arnoia River at Freixo. In the surrounding area, a hiking trail leads to the Petroglifos de Freixo, connects the site with the Roman bridge of Freixo and also passes the Penedo do Corvo viewpoint.

In the surrounding area, the Tower of Vilanova stands on a hill in the centre of the medieval village of Vilanova dos Infantes. In the surrounding area, the surviving keep of the Tower of Vilanova is square, more than nine metres wide and 19 metres high.

Events

In the surrounding area, the Romaría Etnográfica Raigame takes place in Vilanova dos Infantes every year on 17 May; around 80 craftspeople offer their products there and demonstrate traditional crafts. Sábado de Piñata takes place on the Saturday after the end of Carnival.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.