Riviera sacra

GALICIA RIBEIRA SACRA Galicia is water, land, wind…

Galicia is feeling, passion, joy, longing…

Galicia is art, history, legend…

It’s everything that makes you dream, moves you, makes you marvel…

I

nland Galicia is known for its green meadows, rivers and the canyons that they have forged. This natural conjugation together with the local climate contributes to excellent land for growing grapes. These grapes are then used to produce ribeiro wine.

It’s not the wine that gives the region its name, but the number of monasteries that abound on both sides of the Sil river.

The Ribeira Sacra is a district marked by the River Miño and River Sil, which have shaped its spectacular landscape as they wind their way through the mountains. When this is combined with the faith and spirituality that can still be felt in the nu-merous monasteries dotted throughout the area, it means that this corner of Galicia cannot fail to appeal to all our senses.

Immerse yourselves in this magical at-

roque elements. It’s extremely interesting

mosphere and discover a place as unique as

façade belongs to the latter period. The

Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil.

door, situated at the centre of the façade, is

This Benedictine Monastery, located in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, a natural environment with an original beauty where the Miño and Sil rivers converge, is one of the principal monastic centres of Galicia and is today one of its touristic references and part of the state-owned Paradores hotel chain.

The monastery was founded by Saint Martin of Dumio between the years 550 and 555. Its most glorious period began in the 10th century, under the rule of Abbot Franquila. During this century and the following, nine bishops were drawn to the monastery, attracted by its virtues. This fact is reflected in its coat of arms, which contains nine mitres. As occurred with other monasteries, it also suffered the effects of the 1835 Disentailment Act. In 1923 it was declared a Historical Artistic Monument and together with those of Oseira and Celanova and it is considered to be one of the most important in Ourense.

Its structure and decoration contain Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Ba-

surrounded by a molding decorated with geometric figures. Above, there is a pediment over which there is a row of balconies.

The upper part is topped by the Spanish imperial coat of arms. On the sides of the door, between Tuscan columns, there are two images of Benedictine saints. Above these we can see the coats of arms of the Castilian Congregation (on the right) and the monastery (on the left).

This monument is organized around three cloisters. The oldest, called the Bishops’ cloister, is of Romanesque style. One of its most notable features is the ribbed vault on the upper section. The other two cloisters, also very beautiful, are from the Renaissance period.

Another monastery not to be missed is San Pedro de Rochas, where the church has been hewn out of the living rock. When you go in, the feeling is just like entering a Stone Age cave. Surrounding the church you will find a series of anthropomorphic or body-shaped tombs, which the combination of stone, rainwater and lichen has endowed with a supernatural varnish. These are but two of the examples of the wealth of architectural heritage to be found in the Ribeira Sacra; many more such places await your visit along the banks of the Miño and Sil, such as the churches of San Paio de Diomondi and San Miguel de Eiré, or the Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil and Montederramo monasteries.

Its splendid architecture is not the only attraction the Ribeira Sacra has to offer: its countryside, heavily wooded with native species of trees, is the ideal place for nature lovers to follow its many trails. But don’t forget to stop off to admire the magnificent work of nature that is the canyon of the River Mao, with its spectacular waterfalls. And if you just like enjoying the view, then make your way to Parada de Sil, where you can contemplate the steepest and most untamed hillsides of all the valleys in the area.

The best-known look-out point is the so-called ”balcones de Madrid”, from which you can admire the stunning landscapes of the canyons, with nothing but a sheer drop beneath you (provided, of course, you have a good head for heights!).

To mention the Ribeira Sacra is of course to mention wine, something that becomes obvious as soon as you set foot in the district: one of the most characteristic features of its landscape is its famous “socalcos”, the steeply terraced vineyards that run down the hillsides. And whilst you’re here, don’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the fantastic local wines, the product of one of the five Denomination of Origin wine-growing areas in Galicia, to which the district gives its name.