Mostra do Aceite

Quiroga

The production of oil in the Lugo municipality of Quiroga dates back to Roman times and is part of a legacy that has been kept alive through the centuries thanks to heritage elements such as the Bendilló oil mill. That structure, recovered almost 30 years ago, is one of the epicenters of the festival that the City Council has promoted for just over two decades and that this year, after the 2020 break, returns for the enjoyment of neighbors and visitors. It will be on Sunday, the 30th, and to avoid crowds, on this occasion those who want to contemplate the demonstration of traditional olive milling will be able to do so through a screen located next to the As Farrapas chapel. Also, four local producers will exhibit and market their items at the Mostra do Aceite, whose access will be free, although giving priority to people who have made a reservation.

More information in: https://concellodequiroga.com/es/

Feira do Viño do Ribeiro

Ribadavia

With 58 editions behind it, the Feira do Viño do Ribeiro claims to be the oldest wine festival in Galicia. This year due to the pandemic, the organizers have changed the dates a bit, moving the events from the beginning of May to the last weekend of the month and have modified the program to adapt it to the restrictions still present by the covid, but without renouncing their essence. For this reason, they will opt for a mixed format that will combine virtual activities with face-to-face proposals that will be developed following a strict security protocol and with reduced capacity. About thirty wineries have already confirmed their participation in the events that will take place between Friday 28 and Sunday 30 May.

More information in: https://feiravinoribeiro.com/novas/

Festa do Boi

Allariz

Born at the beginning of the 14th century, the Festa do Boi is one of the most emblematic celebrations in Allariz. Although its organizers have decided to postpone to 2022 the central events that would have to be held, as is tradition, in the days prior to Corpus, they will maintain some proposals so that the spirit of the party doesn’t  fade and so that the neighbors continue to enjoy this episode of your story. The crab that gives its name to the celebration will not travel the streets of Allariz this year, but residents will be able to wear the traditional commemorative scarves designed and marketed by the Xan de Arzúa cultural association, and they will also can to contemplate an exhibition of photographs from previous editions. In addition, to fill the void of the theatrical procession of the local guilds that should be held on Sunday 30, those responsible for Xan de Arzúa encourage the residents to wear the costumes of their respective guilds that day. There will also be a surprise activity for the little ones.

More information in: https://www.festadoboi.gal/

Festa do Peixe

Bande

The Festa do Peixe of the Ourense municipality of Bande celebrates half a century this year, so its promoters are not willing to completely renounce the celebration. Last year there were less than a hundred people who were able to taste the star dish of the day in the four establishments of the town that were able to open their doors, and this time the intention is to expand the gastronomic offer and spice it up with sports competitions and activities for children. In addition, from the City Council they have been collecting photographs of the first editions for weeks to surprise the neighbors with a look at the origins of the celebration. 

They also encourage all residents to decorate their windows, balconies and shops so that during the weekend of May 28 to 30 the festive atmosphere remains very present in the streets of Bande.

More information in: https://www.facebook.com/concellodebande

Two other celebrations that should take place during this last weekend of May are the Festa do Galo de Curral de Vila de Cruces and the Festa da Troita de Ponte Caldelas, although in both cases their organizers have chosen to suspend them for the second year consecutive due to the impossibility of maintaining formats that attracted hundreds of people.

From Ponte Caldelas they have already announced that we will have to wait until 2022 to enjoy the celebration again, but in Vila de Cruces they don’t discard that the positive evolution of the pandemic will allow the events to resume this year and they are already studying the possibility of rescheduling them for the month of September.

A beach reclaimed for bathers after a rehabilitation plan which has ensured lots of services and life-guards.

An arc of sand in the mouth of the river Cobo, that remains behind the beach. A dyke protects it from the winds and tides.

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ACCESSES – O Cebreiro is a beautiful rural town, a major stage on the Road of Santiago, located on the LU-633 highway on the border between Galicia and León province.

DISTANCE – 157 km.

POINT OF DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL – O Cebreiro (Pedrafita do Cebreiro) / Santiago de Compostela.

ROUTE – O Cebreiro, Triacastela, Samos, Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzúa and Santiago de Compostela.

DIFFICULTY – Medium. A very long route.

DURATION – 50 hours. Five days in excess of 30 km.

CONNECTIONS – With GR 94.

MATERIAL – This route is generally completed in one go, for reasons that go beyond the pathway itself. It is recommended to pack a rucksack well, although it is easy to find provisions along the way.

SERVICES – In all the towns that the pathway runs through. Xunta de Galicia hostels in: O Cebreiro, Hospital da Condesa, Triacastela, Calvor, Sarria, Barbadelo, Ferreiros, Portomarín, Gonzar, Ventas de Narón, Ligonde, Palas de Rei, Mato Casanova, Meli- de, Ribadiso, Arzúa, Sta. Irene, Arca, Monte do Gozo.

ACCESS BY BICYCLE – Totally suitable.

ACCESS ON HORSEBACK – Totally suitable.

Pilgrimage is essentially an act with an existential and religious aspect. But nowadays, the Road of Santiago is a route open as much to pilgrims as to walkers who come to discover new, attractive elements such as art, culture and contact with towns and customs.

The Road of Santiago, classified as First European Cultural Itinerary in 1987 by the European Council and declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1998, is a journey of initiation that leads into the heart of Galicia through settings that take us back to Medieval Europe. On foot, by bicycle or on horseback, we are travelling pathway laid down by the mark of men throughout history and one of humanity’s most-travelled roads.

The different monumental sights are a complete ar- tistic pleasure: thatched huts and the monumental site of O Cebreiro, Monastery of Samos, Sarria old quarter, Church of Portomarín, Romanesque Church of Vilar de Donas and Melide cruceiro (stone cross), are just some of the countless architectural trea- sures that culminate in Santiago de Compostela’s old quarter.

CARTOGRAPHY I.G.N. 1:25.000 – No 94-IV Santiago de Compostela, 95-III San Marcos, 95-II O Pino, 95-IV Touro, 96-II Arzúa, 96-IV Palas de Rei. S.G.N. 1:50.000 No 97 Guntín, 123 Portomarín, 124 Sarria and 125 As Nogais.

FURTHER INFORMATION – Information telephone number of the Xacobeo: 902 332 010

MUSEO DAS MARIÑAS

Rúa Emilio Romay, 1. 15300 Betanzos
T. / F.: 981 771 946
e-mail: bibli1@alsernet.es
web: www.betanzos.net

The museum shares its installations with the Municipal Library and Archives in the old Monastery of Santo Domingo. Display of archaeological finds from the area, and several sections devoted to folk history, Galician costume and the Apostolate tablets from the Rubens School. Features a collection of tapestries and lace, on deposit from the Jiménez Cossío Foundation. Price: 1,2 €.

Characteristics: Free admission for: school groups, youth under 14 accompanied by an adult, Spanish Youth Card, seniors over 65 residing in Betanzos and collaborators on the Anuario Brigantino.

Opening Times: Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday from 10:30 to 1:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

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The Ribeira Sacra is formed by a group of 20 municipalities belonging to the southern part of the province of Lugo and the northern part of Ourense, both in the inland of Galicia. The element that brings them together is the watercourse of the Miño, Sil and Cabe Rivers. That flow to their confluence through throats and canyons with a strong verticality, forming a unique landscape and a singular land. The result of this legacy is the Sil and Miño land, with a valuable heritage of monasteries – which irradiated art, culture and progress to all of Galicia. Hence the name Ribeira Sacra (Rivoyra Sacrata), of which there is evidence since the XII century; all along it we can find monasteries like those of San Estevo de Ribas de Sil (today it’s a Parador), Santa Cristina, San Pedro de Rocas, Xunqueira de Espadanedo, Montederramo, Ferreira de Pantón, churches such as those of San Paio de Diomondi, San Miguel de Eiré,…. – . In this territory we also find dolmens and megalithic tombs that evidence a very early settlement, continuing with important traces of a Roman presence. The spectacular viewpoints over the Cañón del Sil (Sil River canyons) is a must to admire the monumental landscape. On the sunny banks the vineyards descend in terraces almost up to the river while a growth of oaks, chestnuts and birches complement from the other bank of the river the chromatic richness of the panorama; the particularity and difficulty of this orography lets us talk about the Heroic Viticulture of the Ribeira Sacra .

The D.O. Ribeira Sacra is formed by five subzones: Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Ribeiras do Miño and Ribeiras do Sil. It is a wine producing area with an extension close to 6,18 acres of vineyards, that represents the 5,2 % of the ground dedicated to wine producing in Galicia. It is a territory which keeps the essence of the Galician wines, very linked to the Saint James’ Ways, the internationally known Camino Francés (French Way) (through the subzone Ribeiras de Miño, in the Lugo municipalities of Paradela and Portomarín), and that of the so called Camino de Invierno (Winter Way), where the subzones of Quiroga, Amandi and Chantada are located, and that part of which goes along and ancient Roman road.

The preferential varieties of white grapes are Albariño, Treixadura, Doña Blanca, Godello, Loureira and Torrontés. Among the red grapes, which are the majority, the preferential ones are Mencía, Brancellao and Merezao and also authorized are Garnacha, Mouratón or Negreda. The white wines are fruity and with a fine touch of acidity, with a slight aftertaste and a delicate presence on the palate. The reds stand out for their clean, elegant and intense fragrances and their brilliant cherry color and purple trim. Balanced and well structured, they result to be round wines and generous in the mouth.

Ruta del Vino de la Ribeira Sacra
Rúa do Comercio, 6-8
27400 Monforte de Lemos. Lugo
Tel: +34 982 410 968
Fax: +34 982 411 265
www.ribeirasacra.org
info@ribeirasacra.org

 CASA DAS ABELLAS 

O Francés, s/n. 15318 Abegondo

T.: 981 589 534 / 630 069 635
F.: 981 589 534
e-mail: casadasabellas@corevia.com
web: www.apiculturagalega.org

Classroom equipped to inform about the world of bees. Workshops on honey and beeswax using ancient and modern tools. A 3,000 sq.m. outdoor theme park with observation hives, and ancient and modern beehives. Garden full of nectar, aromatic and medicinal plants. Other activities include conferences, seminars, temporary exhibitions and workshops.

Price: 5 €.

Characteristics: Free admission and visit on Saturdays. Guided tours for groups on week-days. Groups must book in advance. The entrance fee for groups includes workshops.

Opening hours: Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. All other days for groups by prior appointment.

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The peace of nature

Regenerated after the intervention of the Administration, it once again enjoys a narrow strip of white sands. Good conditions.

Situated on the flank of cape Burela, the strong tides and wind have made it especially apt
for windsurfing.

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Valdeorras is the most Eastern region of the province of Ourense, limiting with León. The wealth in natural resources and the lands fertility made Valdeorras a reception area of many peoples along history. There are abundant remains from the megalithic era in the Natural Park of the “Serra da Enciña da Lastra”, besides the rock strokes and the petroglyphs of Valdegodos, Petín and San Esteban de A Rúa Vella. The arrival of the Romans substantially changed the valley, because they moved population centers to the plains and built one of the most important roads of the Iberian Peninsula, the “Vía XVIII” or “Vía Nova” [later used as Camino Real or Camino de Invierno (Winter Way) on the Saint James Way].

Bridges like those of the Bibei River, tombstones like that of A Rúa Vella, A Cigarrosa’s mosaics and milestones, form part of the Roman imperial legacy; although its most singular piece of work is the tunnel at Montefurado, excavated in order to divert the river’s course to extract the gold it dragged and today it is a place with a great touristic attraction and can be seen from a few meters above from the N-120 road. Subsequently, in the XVII century the spectacular Sanctuary of As Ermitas stands out surrounded by ancient terraced vineyards, that nowadays have become one of the most important places of cult in this area. The region is composed by nine municipalities: A Rúa, O Barco, Rubiá, Petin, O Bolo, Carballeda, Larouco, Vilamartín and A Veiga. Almost all of them have wine farms that give this territory a unique singularity.

This D.O. is particularized because there are hundreds of traditional wineries where the elaboration and care for wine is done in the bowels of the earth, in caves excavated in clay – many of these ancient wineries are conserved in their original state. The antiquity of some of these caves is of various centuries, being many of them preserved in perfect condition. Their chimneys are singular, known as refugallo (waste, residue) – they catch our attention, most of all from the outside because they appear to be a curious element in the Valdeorras’ landscape -; they are used for airing and adjusting the temperature in the winery. The quality of the Valdeorras’ wines make it a reference in the wine sector and wakes up national and international interest about a region where wine becomes the maximum expression of the land, championing its essence in a bottle.

The area of production of this Designation of Origin takes over part of the Sil, Xares and Bibei Rivers basins. It presents a great diversity of soils for the vineyard area having 3,2 acres. The preferential variety in whites is Godello, but there are other types that are cultivated like, Doña Blanca which they call Moza Fresca (fresh dame), and in reds the preferred are Mencía and Merenzao that can also be accompanied by Sousón, Albarello, Garnacha Tintorera and Gran Negro. From the Godello variety we obtain wines with an intense fruity and floral fragrance, very well structured in the mouth. From the Mencía type we get red scarlet wines, with elegant wild fruit aromas and soft corpulence.

Ruta del Vino Valdeorras

Ctra. N-120, Km 463
32340 Vilamartín de Valdeorras. Ourense
Tel: +34 988 300 295
Fax: +34 988 300 455
www.dovaldeorras.tv
consello@dovaldeorras.tv