Discover Sande: Fortaleza, Torre and Mountains

Culture and History

In 1141, Alfonso VII, known as “the Emperor,” donated the Fortaleza de Sande to Celanova Monastery. In Galicia’s official heritage register, the Fortaleza de Sande is listed as a monument. The listing is based on a decree dated 22 April 1949.

The year 1141 therefore belongs to the Fortaleza’s recorded history, while the decree of 22 April 1949 concerns its entry in the official heritage register.

The Bonitas de Sande are said to have originated from items of clothing brought back from the Philippine War by soldiers from the parish of Sande in Cartelle, Ourense. In Sande (Cartelle), the Asociación Socio Cultural Entroido As Bonitas de Sande was founded. Its purpose is to revive, preserve and promote the traditional Entroido. The local tradition thus links the recorded origins of the Bonitas with their later preservation in Sande.

The origin story therefore includes the soldiers’ clothing and the parish of Sande in Cartelle, Ourense. The later preservation of the traditional Entroido is associated with the Asociación Socio Cultural Entroido As Bonitas de Sande, founded in Sande. The association’s purpose explicitly states the three tasks of reviving, preserving and promoting Entroido.

Landscape

The Torre de Sande stands on a hill. From its location, panoramic views extend across the Ribeiro area and the valleys of the Miño and Arnoia. The Torre de Sande can be reached on foot from the road between Ribadavia and Cartelle.

The location of the Torre combines the hill as a topographical feature with views across the Ribeiro area and the valleys of the Miño and Arnoia. For access, the road between Ribadavia and Cartelle is given as the starting point; the site is reached on foot from there.

Several named mountains lie in the area around Sande. Sierra Moura is a mountain in the area around Sande. Serra do Chan de Moiras is also a mountain in the area around Sande. Monte San Trocao is likewise a mountain in the area around Sande.

Sierra Moura, Serra do Chan de Moiras and Monte San Trocao are therefore three mountains associated by name with the area around Sande. In each case, their geographical relationship remains tied to the area around Sande.

Regional Area

The wider regional area around Sande includes Gravuras Rupestres do Fieiral, an archaeological site. The Museo Arqueológico Provincial, a museum, is also located in this wider regional area.

The wider regional area around Sande also includes Mosteiro de San Paio de Albeos, listed as a ruin site. Manuel Márquez. Galería de Arte is a museum in the wider regional area around Sande. Serra do Faro is a mountain in the wider regional area around Sande.

The regional references to the locations therefore extend beyond the area around Sande in every case and remain identified as part of the wider regional area. Gravuras Rupestres do Fieiral is an archaeological site there; the Museo Arqueológico Provincial and Manuel Márquez. Galería de Arte are museums; Mosteiro de San Paio de Albeos is a ruin site; and Serra do Faro is a mountain.

Route

The Ruta do Río Gato is approximately five kilometres long. The route is rated as highly difficult.

The route therefore combines an approximate length of five kilometres with the explicitly stated high difficulty level.

For the overarching travel overview: Cartelle.