Pazó: San Martiño de Pazó and O Briñal

San Martiño de Pazó combines pre-Romanesque heritage with trails through the Allariz Biosphere Reserve. A hiking route leads to the church of San Martiño de Pazó and reaches O Briñal at approximately kilometre 14. O Briñal is designated as the core zone of the Allariz Biosphere Reserve. Thus, the same hiking route includes both a church site and a protected core zone, with the kilometre point explicitly given as approximate only.

Other places near Pazó include Valdín, Taboadela, Nogueira De Ramuín, Xunqueira De Ambía, Dornelas, Corzos, Xunqueira de Espadanedo and A Vilavella.

Culture

The church of San Martiño de Pazó has been protected as a cultural asset in the category of a monument since 1931. Its protected surroundings are also recorded: the basis for this is Decree 41/1998 of 30 January 1998. Thus, the protected heritage context includes both the church itself and the expressly named surroundings. The two years refer to different aspects of protection and should be considered separately when placing the site in its cultural and historical context.

The historic surroundings include the settlement of San Martiño in the parish of Pazó. In the Allariz heritage inventory, it is classified as a site of high interest. The site of the church of San Martiño de Pazó is also identified with Palatiolu, a place mentioned in several documents from Celanova. The settlement, church, and historical name are therefore linked through their shared connection to the history of Pazó.

In the San Martiño de Pazó area, Castro de San Paio is catalogued as archaeological heritage. Another prominent structure is Ponte do Briñal, the longest pedestrian bridge in the municipality of Allariz. In addition to the church building and settlement, the named cultural and built heritage therefore includes an archaeological site and a bridge. Before visiting heritage sites, current opening hours should be checked if such a schedule applies.

Trails and nature

For walks by the water, a riverside path along the Arnoia River is a good option. It runs for 3 km towards Allariz and follows the course of the river. A different way of getting around is represented by the Ruta Santa Mariña MTB route: it passes through San Martiño de Pazó. Along this route, it is possible to take a break and collect water. The riverside path and MTB route therefore clearly differ in their type of route, their landscape connections, and the uses mentioned for each.

On a hike through the Allariz Biosphere Reserve, the focus is on the connection between the route, the river landscape, and the named cultural sites. For cycling tours, by contrast, the Ruta Santa Mariña refers to a specific MTB connection via San Martiño de Pazó. When preparing for a hike, checking the current trail conditions is a standard step. On an MTB tour, the opportunity to take a break and collect water can be included as separate points in the day's planning. On longer routes, current route information helps plan the day's schedule realistically before setting out.

For the broader travel overview: Ourense.