Know us
What to visit in Xeodestino Terras de Santiago
The Terras de Santiago Geodestination is an extensive and varied natural environment, mainly defined by the Ulla and Tambre rivers, with an extraordinary landscape and a rich ethnographic, cultural and gastronomic heritage and historical monuments waiting to be discovered in the region. Hiking, enjoying spectacular river beaches and recreational areas, fishing, tasting its superb gastronomy or staying in country manor houses and historic buildings are just some of the options available in the local councils in this part of Galicia.
On this website we will present just two options from each of the local councils, with the aim of encouraging those who come to the Terras de Santiago Geodestination to stay or return and visit the area. The suggestions are organised in alphabetic order according to the local councils.
There are plenty more options we encourage you to discover.
Ames
Bridge of Maceira
A bridge with mediaeval origins connecting the local councils of Ames and Negreria, over the River Tambre. Consists of a main section with five stone arches, and two sections with lock gates. Nearby there is a flour mill. +Info
A Peregrina Manor House
A 19th century manor house in Bertamiráns, owned by the local council, with a chapel and a walled garden, in which exhibitions, events, and weddings are held. Free entry to the gardens. +Info
A Baña
Santa Baia de Lañas
12th century church, with a Romanesque triumphal arch with carvings representing the martyrdom of Saint Baia (Eulalia, or Olaia). +Info
Recreational areas
From the recreational area of Fiopáns, it is possible to walk along the banks of the River Tambre. In Agra de Chans, a wide range of leisure and sporting activities are organised. +Info
Arzúa
Waterfall of as Hortas
Twin waterfall some 30 metres high in the stream of Saímes, which marks the natural boundary between the local councils of Arzúa and touro. +Info
O Enredo do Abelleiro
A working honey museum close to the dam of Portodemouros, where visitors can see how the bees work, thanks to glass beehives. It also has a museum and gift shop. +Info
Boimorto
Festival da Luz
During the second weekend in September, the singer Luz Casal organises the “Festival da Luz” (Festival of Light) in her home town, with the presence of famous national and international singers, for charity purposes. +Info
Church of Sendelle
12th century church of great architectural value, with a semi-circular apse containing wall paintings dating from the sixteenth century. +Info
Boqueixón
Bidge of Ledesma
Recreational area close to the Roman bridge that spans the River Ulla, connecting Boqueixón and Vila de Cruces. Features four small islands connected by bridges, in an area of great natural beauty, with picnic tables and benches from where to enjoy the surroundings . +Info
Pico Sacro
A 600-metre high peak close to the River Ulla and the pilgrims’ way of the Vía da Prata, which is visible throughout the entire region. One of the mythical mountains of Galicia, and an endless source of legends, closely linked with the tradition of St. James, which are explained in its visitors’ centre. +Info
Brión
Oak wood of Santa Minia
A centuries-old oak wood next to the church where the remains of Saint Minia are worshipped, a martyr brought from the Roman catacomb of Santa Inés in August of 1848. Thousands of worshippers visit the festival of Santa Minia on the 26th and 27th of September each year. +Info
Towers of Altamira
Ruins of a ninth-century castle in the village of Torre, in the parish of Brión. Destroyed by the Irmandiños and besieged in the 15th century by the archbishop of Santiago. Declared an Element of Cultural Interest. +Info
Cerceda
Botanical garden
Next to the Aquapark is the botanical garden, a space covering more than 35,000 square metres of greenery, next to the riverside walk of the River Cabancos, with a series of paths and leisure areas. +Info
Aquapark
Nature, sport, and water all come together at the Aquapark, a unique complex combining swimming pools and other water features in the Terras de Santiago Geodestination. +Info
Frades
A Presa riverside area
Located in Ponte Carreira, it combines large bodies of water, rivers beaches, paths, picnic areas, and unforgettable oak woods. +Info
Area of Pasos de Aiazo
One of the most beautiful recreational areas in Frades is in the parish of Aiazo. Net to the River Tambre, it features a traditional tavern, with toilets, tables, and barbecues. It is a perfect spot for starting a hiking route. +Info
Melide
Wayside cross of San Roque
Next to the church of San Roque is the wayside cross of Melide, which the writer Castelao considered to be the oldest in the region in his book “The Stone Crosses of Galicia.” The front shows a seated Christ in Majesty, and the reverse shows a Calvary. +Info
Convent Square
In the centre of Melide, this square contains the church of Sancti Spiritus, the manor house now used as the local council offices, the old pilgrims’ refuge that now contains the Terra de Melide Ethnographic Museum, and the Obra Pía de Santo Antón chapel. +Info
Mesía
Casa Grande de Xanceda
Baroque stately home that belonged to the Marquis of San Martiño de Ombreiro. Today it is used for the ecological production of milk and other products. The farm school is open to visitors. +Info
Wetlands of Valga
The nature space and visitors’ centre of the Wetlands of Valga is located in the lake that was created by a clay mine used to make roof tiles. Here you can discover all of the information about the tile-making process. +Info
Negreira
Manor house of Cotón
A mediaeval fortress situated in the middle of Negreira, with a large chimney and stone gallery, which connects the manor house with the chapel of Saint Mauro, dating from the 18th century. The square features a monument to the writer. +Info
Viewpoint of O Cotro
The scenic viewpoint on Monte do Cotro (in the parish of Campolongo) provides sweeping views over twenty local councils, as well as the estuary of the River Tambre, the estuary of Noia, and on clear days, as far as the roofs of the City of Culture in Santiago, and the Pico Sacro. +Info
Ordes
Regional costume museum
Contains the largest collection of regional costumes in Spain. With over 1,000 costumes donated by Juanjo Liñares, some of which belonged to famous Spanish singers and dancers, such as Rocío Jurado or Antonio Gades. +Info
Ramiro Recouso walkway
Large leisure area in the middle of the town of Ordes, opened in 2009. It runs along the banks of the River Mercurín from the mill of A Silva, as far as the mill of A Braña. +Info
Oroso
O Carboeiro park
Situated in the northern part of Sigüeiro, with a section of the mediaeval English Pilgrims’ Way running through it, which is still in good condition. Close to the municipal swimming pool, sports areas, and children’s play area. +Info
Refuxio island
A natural landscape formed by an island in the middle of the River Tambre, with large oak trees that provide shade in the summer months. Includes one of the most popular trout-fishing areas in the province. +Info
O Pino
River beach of A Tarroeira
A river beach in the River Tambre, marking the start of the River Mera botanical route, which runs past the Roman bridge of Ponte Puñide and the mill of A Pena, until reaching the church of Gonzar. +Info
Church and granadies of Arca
Square granaries known as Hórreas in front of the church of Santa Eulalia de Arca, known as the Church of the Shell, where pilgrims’ mass is said every day. +Info
Padrón
O Pedrón
Roman altar conserved beneath the main altar of the Church of Santiago, which according to the tradition of St. James, was the point where the boat came ashore that transported the body of St. James from Palestine to Iria Flavia. +Info
Rosalía de Castro’s house
To discover the most important moments of the life of Galician poet Rosalía de Castro, visit the House and Museum of A Matanza, in Padrón. In Iria, a visit to the Foundation of Nobel prize winner Camilo José Cela is highly recommended. +Info
Rois
Station of the cross of Sorribas
Stations of the cross in the parish of Sorribas, dating 1678. They are the most important group in the local council of Rois, where more than 130 wayside crosses have been catalogued. +Info
Manor house of Faramello
Manor house next to the River Tinto, which was the first paper factory in Gailicia. Its gardens contain one of the oldest Chinese tallow trees in Galicia, as well as a garden of Japanese cherry trees. A private manor, with guided tours. +Info
Santa Comba
Terra do Xallas museum
Museum located in the Manor House of Santiso, with an exhibition of objects donated by neighbours, revealing facets of life in the region of Xallas throughout history. +Info
Waterfall of Castriz
Waterfall in the River Mira, before it flows into the River Xallas. Located in a recently restored recreational area. +Info
Santiso
Portodemouros ferry
Since 1975, the Azulón ferry has transported people who want to cross the reservoir of Portodemouros for free. It can be taken, also by car, from Santiso, or Vila de Cruces. +Info
Vilar de Ferreiros manor house
A fifteenth-century manor house which was gradually built up from a defensive towers, with decorations in the Baroque Compostela style, and where numerous events are held. +Info
Sobrado
Monastery of Sobrado
Baroque monastery, founded in 952 by the Counts of Présaras, and today run by Cistercian monks. Part of the building is used as a pilgrims’ hostel. +Info
Lake of Sobrado
Protected as a part of the Natura 2000 network, it is one of the most important wetlands in Galicia, both for its flora and bird species. It is located close to the monastery. +Info
Teo
Rúa de Francos
Oak wood on the Portuguese Way to Santiago, including a Gothic wayside cross and the Roman bridge of Paradela. Every 11th of November, the Fair of San Martiño is held here, one of the best-known horse fairs in the region. +Info
Bridge of Pontevea
Mediaeval bridge over the River Ulla, declared an Element of Cultural Interest in 2017, which for many years was the only access route to Compostela from the Valley of Vea (A Estrada). +Info
Toques
San Antolín
One of the most important elements of Galician pre-Romanesque architecture, the church of San Antolín also features Renaissance wall paintings in its interior. +Info
Waterfall of As Brañas
40-metre-high waterfall in the River Salgueiras, which ends next to a water mill, from where you can join the PR-G 166 or the “Waterfall route.” +Info
Tordoia
Dolmen of Cabaleiros
This megalithic structure, known as the ‘Casa da Moura’ or Dolmen of Cabaleiros (in the parish of the same name) is one of the best preserved in all of Galicia. The stone slab covering the roof measures more than 13 square metres. +Info
Pedra Longa
Recreational area with benches and barbeques located on the top of a hill fort with spectacular views, and next to an enormous menhir known as Pedra Longa. +Info
Touro
River Ulla visitor’s center
Visitors’ centre next to the cultural centre, where you can discover all of the wonderful natural, architectural, historical, and landscape heritage of the River Ulla, and enjoy the numerous activities it organises. +Info
Recreational area of Brandelos
Located next to the River Brandelos, this recreational area stands out for its cold, sulphurous medicinal mineral waters, which have detoxifying, anti-allergic and anti-rheumatic properties. +Info
Trazo
River beach of Chaián
A river beach on the River Tambre, with a large leisure area beneath shady oak, chestnut, and alder trees. Includes benches, tables, and barbeques, and a fishing area. +Info
Albar bridge
Bridge spanning the River Tambre which connects the local councils of Santiago and Trazo, with five arches. It is included in the inventory of historic bridges of Galicia. +Info
Val do Dubra
Church of Paramos
13th century church with a Latin cross design, a beautiful example of the rural Galician Romanesque style. Includes an extended semi-circular arch, combining granite and sandstone in its two sections, influenced by the Mudéjar art of the Mosque of Córdoba. +Info
Pedra do Home
In Portomouro, at the top of a hill overlooking the River Tambre, are a group of strategically placed anthropomorphic tombs, known as the “Pedra do Home.” +Info
Vedra
River Ulla
The River Ulla and its tributaries structure the landscape of the valley in Vedra, protected by the Natura 2000 Network. There are spectacular views from the bridge of Gundián. +Info
Manor house of Santa Cruz
The manor house of Ortigueira, in Santa Cruz de Ribadulla, declared an Element of Cultural Interest, is one of the most outstanding camelia plantations in Galicia. Another of its attractions is the walkway through the olive trees. +Info
Vilasantar
Church of Santa María de Mezonzo
Spectacular Galician Romanesque monastery, of which only its 12th century church remains, where San Pedro de Mezonzo once preached, bishop of Iria Flavia and Compostela. +Info
Fulling mill of Mezonzo
A fulling mill uses wooden hammers powered by running water to pound woven cloth in order to make it thicker. The River Gándaras includes a fulling mill, a series of water mills, and an old stone platform used for beating linen. +Info