Ribadavia – History, Festa da Istoria and Camino del Vino

Culture and History

Ribadavia was designated a historic-artistic ensemble under protection in 1947. The walls and gates of Ribadavia date from the 12th to the 15th century. The Igrexa de Santiago was commissioned at the end of the 12th century to accommodate Ribadavia’s oldest parish. The Igrexa de San Xoán was built in the 12th century under the jurisdiction of the Knights of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. These knights cared for pilgrims travelling to Santiago from Braga and the interior of Portugal.

The two churches therefore point to different historical contexts within the town: Santiago is connected with Ribadavia’s oldest parish, while San Xoán reflects the order’s association and the care provided for pilgrims from Braga and the Portuguese interior. Together with the walls and gates, whose construction spans several centuries, they form part of the named historical evidence of the protected ensemble.

Historical Evidence

Ribadavia’s historic town centre is home to the Museo Etnolóxico de Ribadavia. The museum is housed in a palace known as the Pazo de Baamonde or Casa de la Fundación. The 12th-century Capela de San Lázaro is the only surviving evidence of a leprosarium. This leprosarium existed there from the 12th to the 18th century and disappeared completely in the 18th century.

Other destinations in the same broader destination area are Nogueira De Ramuín, Requiás, Untes, A Veiga, O Viso, Pazos, Dornelas and Vilariño.

Festivals and Tours

For planning the timing of a visit, the last Saturday in August is the set date for the Festa da Istoria in Ribadavia’s Jewish Quarter. The Festa da Istoria is recognised as a festival of national tourist interest. During the event, the Jewish Quarter features stalls selling food and craft products. Payment there is made using maravedís.

The last Saturday in August clearly ties the festival date to a specific day in the annual calendar. In the Jewish Quarter, food and craft stalls coincide with the event’s historic designation as the Festa da Istoria; payments on site are made using maravedís.

Ribadavia’s municipal tourism office offers a visit to the Fortress of Ribadavia. This visit presents its history and the remains found inside. The Barrio Judío is part of the tour of Ribadavia proposed by the municipal tourism office.

Routes and Landscape

For route planning, the Camino del Vino is specifically described as starting in Ribadavia, following the left bank of the Avia, passing through the villages of Sto André de Camporredondo and San Clodio, and returning via Berán and Beade. Galicia’s medieval wine-growing landscape is characterised by vineyards on granite terraces, paved paths and nature.

The route description of the Camino del Vino therefore names not only Ribadavia as its starting point, but also the left bank of the Avia, Sto André de Camporredondo and San Clodio on the outward journey, as well as Berán and Beade for the return. The landscape combines vineyards on granite terraces with paved paths and nature.

For the broader travel overview: Ourense.