Discover Bamio: Petroglyphs, Beach and Route

Culture and History

The cultural side of Bamio is reflected in its archaeology, craftsmanship and sacred heritage. Os Ballotes is a petroglyph site in Bamio and is one of the most significant petroglyph sites. The site provides evidence of the early settlement of Vilagarcía de Arousa and comprises three distinct engraving zones.

Other places in this destination area are Carballal, Monte Bouza, Barro, Eidián, Fornelos, Salceda, Cambados and Caldas De Reis.

The Louza de Bamio project focuses on a pottery tradition from the parish of San Xinés de Bamio in Vilagarcía de Arousa that has now disappeared. The Louza de Bamio pottery tradition disappeared at the end of the 1940s. Thus, the cultural history extends from traces of early settlement to a craft whose end is clearly situated in the post-war period. One temporal reference point is the end of the 1940s; the church, by contrast, points to the 18th century.

The Church of San Xens de Bamio in O Campanario is an 18th-century Baroque church. The Cruceiro of O Campanario in Bamio is part of the ViaCrucis route. In addition to the sacred heritage, Meadelo offers further historical points of interest: Meadelo is a petroglyph site 500 metres from Os Ballotes and is associated with an old treasure legend; the rock carving is known as “A Pedra do Encanto”.

Os Ballotes is easily accessible via the old road from Carril to Santiago. The petroglyph site is therefore connected not only with the early settlement of Vilagarcía de Arousa, but also with a specifically named historic road connection.

Routes and Views

A section of the Bamio-Fontefría route lies on Monte Xiabre and offers views of the Ría de Arousa and the Serra do Barbanza. The route thus takes in two distinctive landscapes. From an elevated point on the Bamio-Fontefría route, As Torres do Oeste can be seen upstream. The mouth of the Ulla River can also be clearly seen from an elevated point on the Bamio-Fontefría route. For routes with elevated viewpoints, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Beach and Water

Bamio Beach lies on the Way of St. James. Bamio Beach has a kitesurfing school that is considered a pioneer in Galicia and Spain. The beach location, the Way of St. James and kitesurfing are all connected in this particular setting. Before visiting a kitesurfing school, current opening hours and appointment details should be checked.

O Campanario-Bamio is a river beach at the mouth of the Ulla River, where seawater enters. Thus, Bamio’s waterscape includes not only the beach on the Way of St. James, but also a river beach where the river mouth and incoming seawater meet.

To the main travel overview: Pontevedra.