Vilamartín de Valdeorras lies on the Sil and brings together connections to the river and a range of cultural discoveries: a pedestrian suspension bridge to Penouta, a recreational area with a bathing area, as well as church art, archaeological history and links to wine. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether you are more interested in the riverside, historic buildings, or the connection between wine and literature.

River, Bridge and the Way of St James

The Pasarela de A Penouta is a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Sil that connects Vilamartín with the village of Penouta. On the Vilamartín side are the O Bañadoiro recreational area and a section of the Camino de Santiago de Invierno. O Bañadoiro covers more than 20,000 square metres on the banks of the Sil and is located within the municipality of Vilamartín de Valdeorras. The recreational area has a bathing area accessible via a footbridge leading into the riverbed; the Camino runs through the area. The bridge and the pilgrimage route serve different purposes: the Pasarela connects two places, while the Camino passes through O Bañadoiro. If specific facilities are important for your plans, it is advisable to check for current information before your visit.

Church Art, Settlement Patterns and Archaeology

The main altar in the parish church of Correxais features a cycle of paintings depicting the Nativity, the four virtues and four saints. The church predates the monastery of the Discalced Trinitarians, founded in 1723, with which it forms a remarkable ensemble. Different cultural themes come together here: the imagery on the altar and the historical relationship between the church and the monastery.

Traditional settlement features take centre stage in the rural hamlet of O Robledo: narrow paths, buildings made of slate and clay, slate roofs, and permanent galleries. The focus thus shifts from an altar painting to the layout of the paths, building materials and architectural form of a hamlet.

The archaeological site of Castro O Castelo in Valencia do Sil offers a different perspective on the past. It was inhabited in two phases: from the 1st to the 2nd century and again from the 4th to the 5th century. The cultural themes of the sites are clearly distinct: Correxais represents altar painting and the relationship with the monastery, O Robledo settlement patterns and building materials, and Castro O Castelo its two periods of habitation. This allows you to distinguish between art, rural architecture and archaeology.

Covas, Wine and Literature

The “Córgomo y Florencio, poeta del vino” route takes you through the streets of Córgomo and to places associated with the life and work of the poet Florencio Delgado Gurriarán. Poems are also recited along the route. It may include a visit to a private winery or an underground cova, and ends with a tasting of Godello and Mencía wines accompanied by pinchos. If you are planning this route, it is best to reconfirm the booking and itinerary.

There are wine-related discoveries beyond this route, too: two festivals are held in Vilamartín every year, giving visitors the chance to discover numerous covas. Near the Capela de Penouta there is also a group of traditional wine cellars used to make and store wine. The comparison shows two different ways to explore: the route focuses on literature, poetry readings and a tasting, while the wine cellars near the chapel are associated with wine production and storage.

Discover more destinations: Montederramo, Vilar De Barrio, Carballeda, Cea, Sobreira, Olás, A Teixeira, Larouco

For the main travel overview: Ourense.