The San Rosendo section of the Camino Natural del Interior begins in Celanova’s main square, directly in front of the Benedictine Monastery of San Rosendo. This specific starting point connects hiking plans with the town’s monastic history. Other highlights include the Chapel of San Miguel and the Casa dos Poetas in Celanova, as well as archaeological sites and other trails nearby.
Monastic History and the Chapel of San Miguel
The Monastery of San Salvador was founded in the 10th century by San Rosendo. The present-day monastery took shape through successive renovations between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is arranged around the Baroque processional cloister, also known as the Baroque cloister, and the Neoclassical Poleiro cloister. The foundation and the present-day complex therefore belong to different historical periods.
The Chapel of San Miguel was founded by Froila and built in 940 in the garden of the Monastery of Celanova. It is considered a jewel of Mozarabic art. Guided tours of the Monastery of San Salvador and the Chapel of San Miguel take place Tuesday through Saturday at 11:00, 12:30, 16:30 and 18:00, and cost 2 euros per person. Check the schedule in advance if you would like to fit the visits into your day.
Literature and Archaeological Traces
The Casa dos Poetas is located in the former family home of Manuel Curros EnrĂquez and is designated an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de InterĂ©s Cultural). The permanent exhibition is devoted to the life and work of Curros EnrĂquez, as well as other authors from Celanova. This adds the history of literature to the town’s architectural heritage.
Nearby, Castromao is a significant site associated with Castro culture in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Its use is documented from at least the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD. The Tower of Vilanova is also nearby: it stands on a hill in the centre of the medieval town of Vilanova dos Infantes. The surviving keep is square, more than nine metres wide and 19 metres high.
The Petroglifos de Freixo site consists of six groups of concentric circles, each with a central cup mark, and lies near the Arnoia River by Freixo. A nearby hiking trail leads to the petroglyphs, connects the site with the Roman bridge at Freixo and also passes the Penedo do Corvo scenic viewpoint. This lets you visit the archaeological site as part of a trail that includes other named stops.
Hiking Between Celanova and Ourense
The Camino Natural del Interior San Rosendo between Celanova and Ourense passes through deciduous forests of birch, oak and chestnut trees, and alongside rivers, streams, mills, bridges and traditional hórreos. The route thus combines woodland and river landscapes with built heritage along the way. At just under 900 metres, Casa da Neve is the route’s highest point and offers panoramic views in all four directions.
The Camino de San Rosendo from Celanova to Ourense is listed as 37.8 kilometres long, with a walking time of 9.5 hours. This is a planning estimate; it may change if there is a detour. The distance helps you distinguish a longer hike from a stay focused on Celanova’s buildings and cultural sites.
Dates to Help Plan Your Trip
The RomarĂa Etnográfica Raigame takes place every year on 17 May in Vilanova dos Infantes. Around 80 craftspeople sell their products and demonstrate traditional crafts there. If you plan your trip around this date, check the programme for the relevant year. Sábado de Piñata takes place on the Saturday after Carnival ends and provides another date to consider when planning.
Discover more destinations: Xunqueira de Espadanedo, PorqueirĂłs, A Reza, DadĂn, VerĂn, Laza, VilamartĂn de Valdeorras, Drados.
For the broader travel overview: Ourense.
