Ourense between thermal springs, Ponte Vella and Galician art

The As Burgas thermal complex traditionally consists of the Burga de Abaixo monumental spring dating from the 19th century, a central esplanade with thermal pools, and the Burga de Arriba spring dating from the 17th century. As Burgas is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural. The archaeological site includes a sanctuary pool from the 1st century AD; directly associated with it is the Centro de Interpretación Arqueológico-Termal.

Thermal Springs and Paths

The Paseo Termal runs along the right bank of the Miño from Campo da Feira to Outariz and is three kilometres long. A Chavasqueira has public pools with hot mineral medicinal water that emerges at 41°C. The Fonte Termal de O Tinteiro is a thermal spring on the banks of the Miño. A wooden viewing platform offering views of the surrounding area is located there; the spring can be reached via a footpath that begins at nearby A Chavasqueira, 500 metres away. Thermal pools and thermal springs serve different purposes when planning a trip: pools refer to an area for spending time, while springs refer to where the water emerges. Before visiting such facilities, it is advisable to check the current opening hours. The current opening hours for the Centro de Interpretación Arqueológico-Termal can also be checked before travelling.

Bridge and Pilgrimage Route

Ponte Vella is 370 metres long and has been designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category since Decree 647/1961 of 18 April 1961. On its way to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Mozárabe – Vía de la Plata crosses Ponte Vella.

Art and Museums

The Museo Municipal de Ourense is located in a restored historic building from the 16th century, the Casa de los Méndez Montoto. It houses the Ourense municipal collection of contemporary Galician painting and sculpture. The museum is primarily dedicated to organising temporary art exhibitions. It also has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the artist Julio Prieto Nespereira.

Religious Buildings

The Museo Arqueolóxico Provincial de Ourense is located in the Pazo del Obispo, whose original structure dates from the 12th century. Its collections include fine art, archaeology, and natural history. The museum organises temporary exhibitions in rooms provided by the Ourense municipal administration.

Notable areas of the Catedral-Basílica de San Martiño in Ourense include the Capilla Mayor, the Capilla del Santo Cristo, the Pórtico del Paraíso, and the Museo Catedralicio. The San Francisco cloister is a Romanesque-Gothic cloister from the 14th century. It has a total of 63 pointed-arch arcades, resting predominantly on paired columns, and is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural.

Landscape along the Miño

Montealegre offers views of Ourense, which lies on the banks of the Miño.

More destinations

More destinations: Faramontaos, Turbisquedo, O Pereiro De Aguiar, Allariz, Rairiz De Veiga, A Manchica, Magros, O Carballiño

To the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.