Holiday apartment in Coles: discover the Miño, the Way of St. James and cultural heritage

Miño, riverbanks and the Velle Reservoir

At the Miño in Coles, riverbanks, the reservoir and the port come together as specific landscape features. The narrow riverbank area of the Miño in Coles lies between 100 and 300 metres above sea level and is designated as a natural area. The elevation of 100 to 300 metres refers to the narrow riverbank area. The Velle Reservoir occupies this section of the Miño, which runs through the parishes of Santo Eusebio da Peroxa, Melias and Ribela. For a stay focused on water, the narrow natural area and the section occupied by the reservoir can be planned as separate themes. Coles also has a river port on the Miño with pontoons for docking and mooring. In addition to the riverbanks and reservoir, the port provides its own connection to the water; both themes remain linked to the Miño.

Romanesque churches and Baroque architecture

The Romanesque Church of Santiago de Gustei lies on the Way of St. James and was built at the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century. Its connection to the route and its construction date provide the church with a specific historical context. The Pazo de Fontefiz has a U-shaped granite floor plan with an inner courtyard. At the Pazo de Fontefiz, the U-shaped granite building, the inner courtyard and the grand stone staircase complement one another as exterior and interior architectural features. Inside the Pazo de Fontefiz there is a grand stone staircase. The Pazo de Fontefiz is an example of Baroque architecture as well as a symbol and seat of a family lineage.

The Church of San Paio de Albán preserves Romanesque remains. An image of the Virgin is located on the tympanum of its main portal. The tower of Albán was rebuilt in the 15th century. In Albán, the Romanesque remains, the image on the tympanum and the tower rebuilt in the 15th century belong to different parts of the church building. The church building in Albán can therefore be associated with a single portal detail and a later rebuilding phase.

Historical routes and a new direction towards Santiago

The Vía da Plata extends the Roman road that connected Emerita Augusta (Mérida) with Asturica Augusta (Astorga). A new route of the Ruta da Plata passes through Coles towards Santiago de Compostela. The Vía da Plata and the Ruta da Plata do not refer to the same historical connection: one extends the Roman road, while the other passes through Coles to Santiago. The historical road connection and the new route section therefore belong to different periods. Those planning the routes as a separate focus can consider the connections to Mérida, Astorga and Santiago de Compostela individually.

San Román in Cambeo

The San Román gastronomic pilgrimage in Cambeo includes enjoying carne ao caldeiro, octopus, Cea bread and local wine.

More destinations for planning your trip

Other destinations for your regional travel planning include Parderrubias, Pazó, Allariz, Pardollán, A Mezquita, Dadín, Carballeda and Compostela.

For the broader travel overview: Ourense.