San Fiz brings together two different perspectives: the parish of San Fiz (Santa Catalina), situated in the narrow valley carved by the Xares, and the local history of San Fiz Vello. San Fiz Vello is home to the Igrexa de San Fiz (Parroquial de Santa Catalina), the Explotación mineira das Caborcas mining site, and the historic Fundición de Mondón foundry. The landscape, religious history, mining, and metalworking can thus be understood as distinct themes.
The Xares Valley
The parish of San Fiz (Santa Catalina) lies in a narrow valley formed by the Xares River shortly after the Prada Reservoir, with steep slopes along its sides. The river shapes the valley, while the slopes enclose it. This description of the landscape offers a different perspective from the historic sites named in San Fiz Vello. As you sort through the local themes, you can distinguish between the shape of the valley and the history of individual places.
San Fiz Vello: Religious and Industrial History
The Igrexa de San Fiz, also known as Parroquial de Santa Catalina, is the church of San Fiz Vello. The Explotación mineira das Caborcas mining site and the historic Fundición de Mondón foundry are also located there. These three sites represent distinct aspects: a parish church, mining, and metalworking. San Fiz Vello was abandoned more than 60 years ago, giving this account its own history of settlement.
Buildings constructed in the 1960s for workers at the Santa Baia dam were only a few metres from the ruins. The abandoned settlement and the workers’ buildings thus represent different historical contexts that were located close together.
Industrial History and Walking Routes
At A FerrerÃa, local tradition links metalworking with water power: a small dam on the Xares is said to have powered hammers and pneumatic bellows used for metalworking. The full process remains uncertain. The operation is thought to have been running since the 1880s, or perhaps earlier; it probably began to decline between the late 1880s and early 1890s. This timeframe places its history in the late 19th century without specifying an exact start or end date.
The walking information also highlights different features. A June programme included a walk in the Canón do Xares to the Fervenza do Regueiro dos Carballois and the abandoned village of San Fiz. A 12-kilometre route of moderate difficulty runs from Balneario de Mondón. The walk is based on two specific destinations, while the route from Balneario is described by its length and difficulty—two different points of reference for planning your trip.
A former bridge from San Fiz crossed the Xares towards AlberguerÃa; it is believed to have been submerged in the Santa Eulalia Reservoir. It is therefore part of the area’s history of travel and routes.
Discover more destinations: A Veiga de Logares, Meirengos, Novelúa, FonfrÃa, A Lobagueira, Lago, Campos de Vila, Guitiriz
For the broader travel overview: Lugo.
