Cortegada: Thermal History and Miño Landscapes

Thermal Baths

Cortegada is a historic town associated with thermal baths. The town is also known as “Cortegada de Baños”. The thermal building visible today is modernist and was built in 1937. The emblematic building was fully renovated in 2019. It is currently used as a thermal baths museum and restaurant. This building therefore brings together a historic character, modernist architecture and a current public use.

Culture

The Santuario San Bieito de Rabiño is known for the Baroque façade of its church. San Breixo de Refoxos was a former priory of Celanova. Its oratory was converted into a parish church in the 19th century. The Ara Romana de Zaparín is a Roman altar made of fine-grained granite. The altar bears a six-line inscription. In front of the parish church of Zaparín, the Ara now serves as the base of a cross. Thus, Cortegada brings together a Baroque church façade, the history of a former priory and a Roman granite monument.

Landscapes and Routes

The main route of the Roteiro por Terras de Cortegada runs from the Balneario Vello de Cortegada along the reservoir. It extends as far as the abandoned settlement of A Barca. A laurel forest lies in A Barca. The route then climbs through stands of oak and cork oak to the church of San Bieito. The route thus links the reservoir shoreline, the abandoned settlement and the wooded sections leading up to the climb to the church.

The BTT route from Cortegada is a circular route. It starts and ends in Cortegada. Its course follows tracks and paths that often run near river areas. The Augas do Miño kayaking route runs along a calm and accessible section of the Miño. Riverside vegetation and thermal springs lie along the riverbed. On the water, the connection between the river course, its riverside vegetation and the thermal springs remains an immediate part of the route described.

Panoramas

The Mirador a Bouza is located in the centre of Cortegada. The viewpoint stands on a rise beside the road to Celanova. It offers panoramic views of the Miño meanders and riverside vegetation. From the centre of Cortegada, the viewpoint can be reached on foot in about ten minutes or by car.

The Mirador Coto da Pena offers panoramic views over the Miño valley. Its panorama includes vineyards and green-covered hills. The Miño River is also part of the view from there. Places steeped in history complete the panorama. The view from Coto da Pena therefore encompasses both the cultural landscape of viticulture and the river area and historic sites.

Ribeiro

Cortegada belongs to the approximately 2,500-hectare production area for wines with the Ribeiro designation of origin. This area also includes Ribadavia, Arnoia and Castrelo de Miño. It additionally encompasses Carballeda de Avia, Leiro and Cenlle. Beade and Punxín likewise belong to the production area. The designation of origin thus connects Cortegada with several other municipalities in the aforementioned production area.

Other Places

Other places: A Rúa, Cea, Arnado, Laza, Corvillón, Untes, Beariz, Carballal

For the overarching travel overview: Ourense.