Xinzo de Limia: Entroido, History and Areeiras da Limia

In Xinzo de Limia, the Entroido de Xinzo de Limia is recognised as a festival of international tourist interest. The Pantallas of Entroido de Xinzo de Limia are traditional figures who move through the town while striking two dried animal bladders inflated like balloons.

Other destinations include O Bolo, Cea, Corzos, O Viso, Lobios, A Reza, Requiás and Ourense.

Culture and history

The Festa do Esquecemento takes place every year from Friday to Sunday on the penultimate weekend in August and brings the Roman era back to life with a forum, a camp, and a Roman and castrexian market. The Entroido thus takes place alongside a festival that incorporates historical periods into its own event format.

The Torre de A Pena, also known as Castelo de Porteliña, was built in the 12th century for defensive and surveillance purposes. The abandoned and destroyed fortress of Torre de A Pena is now represented only by the single surviving tower. In Trandeiras, the Mosteiro do Bon Xesús has a Gothic-Plateresque portal and an almost completely preserved cloister with 28 keel-arch arcades.

The Church of Santa Mariña, also known as Igrexa Vella, is a medieval church with a Romanesque portal and a construction phase dating from the 12th century. The Ponte de Faramontaos, also known as Das Poldras, is a medieval bridge on the historic route connecting Val de Monterrei and A Limia. The fortress, monastery, church and bridge each preserve their own architectural and historical references.

Landscape and trails

The Areeiras da Limia are located at the confluence of the municipalities of Sandiás, Vilar de Santos and Xinzo de Limia. The area comprises several lagoons connected by paths, which can be explored by car, on foot or by bicycle.

On the Vía da Prata, the Xinzo de Limia–Sandiás stage is 8.7 km long, moderately difficult and estimated to take 2 hours and 10 minutes. The N-525 provides access points for the road connection with the municipality of Xinzo de Limia.

Festivals and gastronomy

The Magostos in Xinzo de Limia take place every year on 11 November at Praza de Oriente; chestnuts, wine and bolos preñados around the bonfires are at the heart of the celebration. The III Concurso Gastronómico da Limia, known as “Patapas”, concluded with a particularly dynamic edition and is regarded as a driving force behind the revitalisation of the local economy.

The Feira da Pataca e da Maquinaria Agrícola resumed in 2021 after being suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic and continued in the following years; its continuation as the seventh edition is planned for 2026.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.