Parada de Sil: Sil Canyon, Santa Cristina Monastery and Casa do Chocolate

Views and landscapes

Os Balcóns de Madrid is a viewpoint above the Sil Canyon at an altitude of 500 metres. Miradoiro de Triguás offers a comprehensive impression of the landscapes of the Ribeira Sacra, shaped by a unique geological history. Castro e Petróglifo da Cividade offers extensive views over the Sil Canyon and Santa Cristina Monastery.

Trails through the municipality

The route is designated PR-G 98 Canón do Sil–Santa Cristina and runs through the municipality of Parada de Sil along cart tracks and paths. Its course includes well-maintained vineyards, centuries-old chestnut groves and old oak forests. The route leads to the Sil Canyon and its viewpoints.

A municipal mountain biking route begins near Parada do Sil Town Hall. After an uphill section, it ends in the village of Parada de Sil.

From Parada de Sil, road O-0605 leads towards Pedra do Sol. After 14.5 kilometres, a signposted turn-off leads to Fábrica da Luz and Pasarela do Río Mao.

The Necrópolis de San Vítor de Barxacova can be reached from Parada do Sil via road OU-0605 towards A Teixeira. From the village of San Lourenzo, a path then leads to the necropolis.

Culture and history

Construction of the church of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil Monastery began in the 12th century. In the 13th century, mainly arches were added as Gothic elements.

The Igrexa de Santa Mariña in Parada do Sil is an 18th-century Baroque parish church. The statue of Santa Mariña in this church dates from the Renaissance.

Castro e Petróglifo da Cividade is a fortified settlement. It is surrounded by a defensive wall made of irregular, dry-laid stones. The wall is 2 to 2.5 metres high and up to 4 metres wide.

The Necrópolis de San Vítor de Barxacova is probably older than its chapel and may have been associated with an early medieval rural settlement.

Chocolate and local history

Casa do Chocolate is located in Teimende and is Galicia’s only museographic space dedicated to the subject of chocolate. Machines belonging to the Casares family are displayed there.

The traditional chocolate-making process is explained from the arrival of the cocoa beans through the individual processing steps to the finished product and its distribution. Handmade chocolate made according to the family recipe can also be purchased there.

The name Os Balcóns de Madrid comes from itinerant waffle sellers from Parada do Sil. When setting off for Madrid, they said they were going to Madrid.

Other places include: Vilanova, A Manchica, Lobios, Xares, A Reza, Pazó, Celanova, Xinzo De Limia

To the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.