A protected old town, historic buildings and paths along the rivers give a trip to Pontevedra several different focuses. There are also museum collections, a market with a Gastroteca and an annual city festival. You can plan your stay around culture, the timing of an event or outdoor routes.
Old Town, Historic Buildings and Collections
The old town of Pontevedra was designated a Historic-Artistic Ensemble and protected on 23 February 1951. One particularly striking building is the Santuario de la Virgen Peregrina: the sanctuary dates from the late 18th century and has a floor plan shaped like a scallop shell. It is also associated with the Camino Portugués a Santiago.
The Ruínas de Santo Domingo preserve the remains of a Dominican church and monastery from the 14th and 15th centuries. Together with the sanctuary, they illustrate different historical connections: a religious building from the late 18th century on the one hand, and the remains of church and monastic complexes from earlier centuries on the other.
The permanent exhibitions at the Museo de Pontevedra also offer several points of interest for culture enthusiasts. They include archaeological collections from prehistory and antiquity, Sargadelos faience, ceramics from Pontecesures, and contemporary Spanish and Asian Oriental art. The collection thus brings together archaeological, ceramic and artistic themes.
Feira Franca and Mercado de Abastos
The Feira Franca takes place every year on the first weekend of September in Pontevedra’s monumental district. It features a medieval tournament as well as falconry, archery and fencing demonstrations.
At the Mercado de Abastos, you can buy market produce and have it prepared at one of the Gastroteca’s venues. The market also offers year-round activities, workshops and small concerts, especially at weekends. This means you can combine your visit with shopping for produce as well as with the program taking place there; for certain events, it is worth checking the latest dates.
Riverside Paths and Designated Natural Areas
There are several specific route details for walks along the Gafos. The natural section of the Senda dos Gafos runs 4.3 kilometres along the river to the village of Leira Longa, beneath the protection of the riverside woodland. Route 16, “Gafos completo,” runs from Leira Longa via Estacións and Campolongo to Corvaceiras and is 6.3 kilometres long. The route length and named sections give you reference points when planning a walk.
Another route description follows the upper reaches of the Lérez: the Senda do Lérez runs approximately from the river beach, or Ponte das Palabras, towards Bora. Route 3, also called Senda do Lérez, runs from Palabras via Balneario and Bombeo to the Bora dam; its stated length is 4.2 kilometres. The two descriptions complement each other, with the approximate direction of the river in one and the named sequence of waypoints and distance in the other.
Two designated natural areas also offer different highlights. Illa das Esculturas is designated a Site of Community Importance and is part of the Natura 2000 network. Xunqueira de Alba is a wetland of around 67 hectares, designated an Area of Local Natural Interest in 2012. If you include nature in your travel plans, you will find two different forms of protection here: Natura 2000 and a local designation for natural interest.
Plan Your Arrival in Pontevedra
The train and bus stations are in separate buildings, but are in the same part of the city and connected by pedestrian paths. When planning your arrival, it is therefore useful to consider the connection between the two locations. As transport services can change, check the latest connections and transfer times before you travel.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Campañó, Areas, Redondela, Lalín, Portela, O Grove, A Telleira, Bandeira.
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