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GALICIA Information - TRAVELLING AROUND GALICIA

The variety of landscapes and the countless routes which fill the Galician surface make any journey in this land a surprising itinerary. To use a historical phrase, it would be enough to give free rein to the horse. Anyway, some routes, traditionally considered more attractive, may be suggested. To start with, there is one that, according to pilgrims' tradition, completes the visit to Santiago de Compostela.

FROM SANTIAGO TO A TOXA. For tourist interest we will reject the motorway and go down the N-550 road, crossing A Mala's delightful scenery to arrive at Iria Flavia and Padron, which is full of memories of the pilgrimage and where the House-Museums of RosalIa de Castro and Camilo J. Cela are found.
We will next go along the south side of the River Ulla down to the Ria of Arousa (a ria is a large estuary or a firth, typical of the Galician landscape). The Catoira mediaeval towers, the cave paintings in Os Ballotes, Vilagarda de Arousa, the Mount Lobeira viewpoint in Vilanova -the hometown of Valle Inchin- and the attractive Isle of Arousa are the most interesting spots to visit before arriving at Cambados, a town of historical interest. The visitor may like to divert from Cambados to visit the Armenteira Monastery and then the Grove peninsula, the vast beach of A Lwzada and the attractive Isle of A Toxa, with its hotels, casino, golf course, spa and every kind of tourist service.
On the way back, one may pass through Pontevedra, going over the string of beaches around Sanxenxo and visiting the Ons Islands on the fast boats which run regularly during the summer months. The route continues along the north side of the Ria of Pontevedra, through Combarro, a typical picture of h6rreos, cru
ceiros and the sea, the Monastery of Poio and Pontevedra, a city of historical interest.
A pleasant extension of this trip might be a visit to Campo Lameiro, to see the fascinating cave paintings, which are spread throughout the hills near the town.

VIGO, A GUARD A AND TUI. After enjoying the exceptional view of the most beautiful of the rias from the Castro in Vigo, we can go over the beaches of Samil, Vao, Canido and, above all, America Beach. We then arrive at Baiona, proceeding between the Romanesque collegiate church and Monterreal fortress. The continuation of the route to A Guarda is entertaining and picturesque. The Mount Santa Tegra rises above the town. There is an exceptional view here over the mouth of the River Mino and the rebuilt prehistoric Celtic castro.
The way back to the city of Tui, full of notable monuments, goes through 0 Rosal and Tomino, among delightful landscapes and Romanesque churches. The Gothic cathedral, with its museum and cloister, deserves a thourough visit, and so does the old quarter, the church of Barbadelo and the Mount Aloia, one of the five Natural Parks in Galicia.

FINISTERRE AND COAST OF DEATH. The trip to Finisterre bears a geographical and historical meaning which makes it a ritual for those who visit Galicia. It also offers a series of scenic and monumental surprises. Starting in Santiago, this route leads to the historical town of Noia and goes along the ria to the picturesque port of Muros. The route continues through Carnota's wide bay and sandy areas, the mythical Mount Pin do and fzaro waterfalls, to join the classical route of the Coast of Death in Cee.
This route, one of the most captivating and amazing ones along the coast, starts at A Coruna, where the C-550 road begins and brings us to Fisterra, the Galician name for Finisterre. Past Carballo, which is the main town on the road, several side-roads lead to different points along the coast. The first one leads to a typical port: Malpica. Next is Corme, where the crosses in memory of the percebeiros point to the danger in the lives of the barnacle fishers. The vast sandy areas of Laxe, the mythical lighthouse in Vilano de Camariñas and the "pedra de abalar" - a huge swaying stone that only the innocents can move- are other landmarks along the coast. The route finally reaches the exciting Fisterra Cape, considered the European continent's most western point since it was discovered by the Romans in Decimus Junius Brutus's expedition.

THE RÍAS ALIAS AND THE COASTLINE OF LUGO. "A San Andrés de Teixido va de morto 0 que non foi de vivo" ("Whoever doesn't go to San Andres de Teixido alive will go there dead"), goes a popular saying. The route to get there leaves A Coruña, crosses the Rias Altas and passes the towns of Betanzos and Pontedeume, both possessing numerous monuments and the latter with its bridge and mediaeval towers. The route then crosses the Ria of Ferrol and heads to the vast sandy bay of Valdoniño and places of ecological interest in A Frouxeira. Cedeira is found in its own small, attractive ria, at the bottom of Sierra Capelada, where the Sanctuary of San Andres de Teixido shelters. The sierra plunges to the sea at the cliffs of Vixia de Herbeira, the highest in Europe with a sheer drop of 612 metres. Cariiio and Santa Marta de Ortigueira are two lovely towns on either side of a charming ria. Not far away is the Ria of 0 Barqueiro, which is bordered by the Cape of Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.
On the coastline of Lugo, Viveiro, with its beaches, early mediaeval town centre and areas of ecological importance, is the first town to welcome us. We will then cross Cervo, where the original Sargadelos pottery installations are found. Alfoz calls for a stop to visit the early Romanesque Cathedral of San Martiño de Mondoñedo. And then a hundred other beaches can be found before arriving at the beach of the Cathedrals, which takes us straight into Ribadeo.

THE RIBElRA SACRA. From the Middle Ages, the name of Rivoira Sacrata (Sacred Valley) was given, due to the monasteries settled there, to the area which extends along the south side of the River Sil, from Castro Caldelas to Ourense. Leaving Ourense along the old road to Ponferrada through Puebla de Trives, we can visit these monasteries and also admire the amazing scenery along the River Sil's canyon. The oldest monastery, dating from the 6th century, is in Esgos. It has a church dug into the rock, hence its name "San Pedro de Rocas". The next visit may well be the Romanesque Monastery of Xunqueira de Espadañedo, which includes later reforms. Next is one in Montederramo, built in the 16th century style of J. de Herrera.
After visiting the castle of Castro Caldelas, the trip may proceed to the River Sil, passing by the ruins of the Monastery of San Paio de Abeleda. Along the riverside, in a picturesque spot, we will find the Santa Cristiiia Monastery in Ribas de Sil, whose church is a perfect model of the Compostela Romanesque. The final stage is a visit to the biggest and best preserved of all these monasteries: San Estevo Monastery in Ribas de Sil, which is a synthesis of all of them.
From here, a scenic road goes down the Sil canyon to Os Peares, where the River Sil merges with the Miño. At this point the Mino, Galicia's biggest river, enters the Ribeira Sacra, reflecting on its waters the excellent Romanesque church-fortress or Portomarín, the elaborate facade of San Estevo in Ribas de Miño and other minor churches, like that in Cova, which was saved from the reservoir waters. Both valleys united continue through a beautiful landscape down to Ourense.

THE WESTERN SIERRAS. A total of 60 protected areas are officially registered as Galician natural zones. This has led to an amazing diversity and wealth in the Galician ecosystem. Among them are the Sierras of O Courel and Os Ancares in the province of Lugo.
The Sierra of Os Ancares spreads over a stretch of 12,775 hectares. The variety of its local vegetation and its interesting fauna, in which the capercaillie outstands, are worthy of remark. And so are some anthropological aspects based on the pallozas, a kind of prehistorical dwelling, still inhabited until very recently. The sierra can be reached from Becerrea, on the N-VI road, between Pedrafita and Lugo.

The Sierra of O Courel, stretches over 21,020 hectares and is the most complete of the Galician sierras, with deep valleys which alternate with high summits. Among them, meadows abound, where oaks, yews, beeches, hazel and holly trees grow. Quiroga, on the road that joins Ponferrada with Lugo through OBarco de Valdeorras and Monforte, is the turning-point into the sierra.

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