Five sites with rock engravings, a 16th-century granite bridge and the RĂo Verdugo offer different ways to explore archaeology, architectural history and landscape in Ponte Caldelas. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ponte Caldelas, choosing a personal focus can help with your planning: would you like to focus mainly on cultural sites, trails or the river? This lets you organize your stay around your interests without having to follow a fixed daily schedule.
Rock Engravings and Cultural Heritage
The Tourón Archaeological Area covers more than 150,000 square meters and offers the opportunity to visit five sites with rock engravings. The fully signposted circular route helps you find your way around the area. Check local visiting regulations before you arrive. The Indian houses of Ponte Caldelas are considered valuable and irreplaceable cultural heritage and a symbol of a unique historical period. This connection adds another cultural perspective to Tourón’s archaeological focus.
A Bridge with a History
The Ponte de Caldelas is a granite ashlar bridge from the 16th century, with four semicircular arches over the RĂo Verdugo. Its material, construction period and form give it a distinct architectural character. During the Peninsular War in 1809, a historic battle against French troops took place at the bridge. Here, architectural history and a specific event in the town’s history come together in a single structure.
River Landscapes and Trails
The RĂo Verdugo runs through the town and municipality of Ponte Caldelas. Dense groves line its banks, and its clear waters slow as they pass through the town. Os Pasos are used to ford the river along the old route from Ponte Caldelas to A Lama. River conditions can change, so take this into account when planning a crossing. While the Ponte de Caldelas carries the road across the river as a granite bridge, Os Pasos offer a ford along an old route.
The named walking routes also differ in their starting and ending points. The Camino Real, also known as the Ruta dos Arrieiros, begins in the parish of Forzáns in Ponte Caldelas and ends in the parish of Marcón in Pontevedra. The Ruta das Almiñas y Foso do Lobo begins and ends at the church in Caritel. This makes a practical difference when choosing: the first route starts and ends in two different parishes, while the second has the same starting and ending point at a church.
Festa da Troita
The Festa da Troita has been celebrated in Ponte Caldelas since 1967. It takes place on the last Sunday in May and includes an international salmonid fishing competition. The date provides a clear planning anchor if you’re considering a visit in May. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check that year’s program separately, as current events may vary.
Discover more destinations: As Madorras, Coiron, Salceda, Porriño, Pontevedra, LalĂn, Buezas, Mos.
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