Covas: Penedos da Raíña Loba, Mountains and Churches

Landscape

Anyone wishing to explore the rock formations of Penedos da Raíña Loba should follow the expressly recommended O Cebreiro-Raíña Loba route. At more than 1,100 metres high, Penedos da Raíña Loba provide a specific elevation figure for planning the exploration. A rock at Penedos da Raíña Loba once served as the site of a castle and its towers; traces of its construction are visible on the ground. According to Galician tradition, the fortress where the legend of Raíña Loba takes place stood on Penedos da Raíña Loba in Covas.

A game board for “Alquerque de nove” is carved into a rock at Penedo da Raíña Loba. A well carved into the rock is also visible at Penedo da Raíña Loba.

Nature

The pine forests in the highest part of Covas, in the Serra de Gomariz at 1,100 metres, are considered excellent for observing Bonelli's Warblers. Short-toed Snake Eagles can be observed while climbing to Covas. Woodlarks are common in Covas; Black Wheatears are also common in Covas.

Culture

The Igrexa de San Breixo de Covas is a Baroque church built around 1712. In the wider regional area around Cobas are Santa Comba de Bande, a church, the Church of San Martiño de Pazó, also a church, and San Miguel de Celanova, also a church.

Some remains of a rock castle are said to survive on the granite hill of O Castelo Vello. There are archaeological remains in Covas, Os Blancos; however, a specific investigation has not established whether a Castro or a fortress once stood there.

Geographical Setting

Pico Carbuceiro is a summit in the area around Cobas. Monteagudo is a mountain in the area around Cobas. Cabeço de Lamas is also a mountain in the area around Cobas. Alto da Pena Cereja is another mountain in the area around Cobas.

O Castelo Vello is a granite hill approximately 1,000 metres high, with large granite rocks. The elevation figure therefore remains associated with the granite hill of O Castelo Vello, while the more than 1,100 metres are attributed to Penedos da Raíña Loba.

The two elevation figures mark different landscape features: Penedos da Raíña Loba reach more than 1,100 metres, while O Castelo Vello is a granite hill approximately 1,000 metres high. Large granite rocks also form part of the appearance of O Castelo Vello; the elevation figure there explicitly remains approximate.

The historical traces in Covas include the former castle site at Penedos da Raíña Loba, the visible construction traces on the ground, and the remains on O Castelo Vello. In Covas, Os Blancos, the classification of the archaeological remains remains open: it has not been established whether a Castro or a fortress once stood there. The carved “Alquerque de nove” game board and the well carved into the rock add further details about the area.

For the overarching travel overview: Os Blancos.