Pontevedra Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

One of the fishing towns with the best preserved traditional architecture in Galicia, Spain, is Combarro

Combarro is one of the fishing towns with the best preserved traditional architecture in Galicia, Spain. 36993 Combarro, Pontevedra From Pontevedra bus station, take bus XG626026 for 6 stops to reach the picturesque fishing village of Combarro, with a ticket price of 1.5 euros. Combarro is one of the best preserved traditional fishing towns in Galicia. Its urban structure and buildings are entirely made of granite, almost intact. Combarro's old town has been declared a cultural asset of interest, representing three traditional architectural elements of Galicia: granaries, fishing houses and cruisers. Declared an artistic and picturesque site in 1972, its history is closely linked to the 12th century when Queen Urraca donated the population to the Monastery of San Cosme and San Damian, until the mid-19th century. The granaries are the most iconic element of Combarro. These grain warehouses are built on high pillars ("pés") to avoid dampness and rodents. In this area, they combine stone and wood, and have obtained the local name "palleiras". Currently, about 60 are preserved, half of which are arranged along the coast, showing the characteristic image of this place. However, it is the seaside houses that give the core area its unique character. Most of them are small semi-detached houses facing the sea. Their ground floors were originally used as warehouses for fishing gear and agricultural tools, sometimes also as small wine presses. Many also have narrow arcades. The first floor has a characteristic balcony, which visually overlooks the sea. Originally, the railings were made of wood, iron or stone, and were often colored with materials left over from painting boats, giving the town a special multicolored image. Another characteristic element of the town are the seven granite chapels built between the 18th and 20th centuries. They are usually located at crossroads, serving various functions, offering protection, and even serving as private donations to fulfill promises. Combarro has several examples of great artistic quality, such as the 1771 Praza da Fonte chapel, with statues of Christ nailed to the cross and Saint Anne, or the 1802 Saint Roque Square chapel. Some have a stone table ("pousadoiro") as an altar traditionally used to place coffins at funerals, usually decorated annually for the traditional Corpus Christi procession. Combarro, Pontevedra

Convento e Igrexa de San Francisco de Pontevedra

Convento e Igrexa de San Francisco Convento de San Francisco (Pontevedra) Praza da Estrela, s/n, 36002 Pontevedra Convento de San Francisco de Pontevedra In the center of the city of Pontevedra there is a large square, called A Ferrería. For centuries, it has been a meeting point for many citizens of Pontevedra and the region. A few meters from the square is the famous La Peregrina church and sanctuary, a symbol of the city of Pontevedra. On one side of the square stands the 13th-century Franciscan church and convent, adjacent to the current delegation of the Treasury. It is said that Saint Francis went on a pilgrimage to Compostela and in 1214 established the first Franciscan convent there, which later became a model for many other temples in the Galician region. The Convent of San Francisco de Pontevedra follows the pattern of the Latin cross plan of Santiago, with a nave, transept, triple apse head, one of which is a larger central apse and two polygonal side apses, covered with ribbed vaults, while the nave is covered with wood. The old Franciscan convent received its first donation in 1274. From the 13th century, only the front and main body of the temple are preserved. The altar and apse were built in the 14th century. In the following centuries, the staircase leading to the main door (1853) and the Dominican door of the same century were built, which is now the Treasury office, once belonged to the convent, was part of the city wall. The temple was restored in 1923, caught fire in 1995, and had to be restored again. Inside are the tombs of Padre Gómez Chariño, Xoán Feijoo de Soutomaior and Paio de Montenegro. The tomb of Paio Gómez Chariño stands out in its austere interior decoration, he was a troubadour and admiral at the end of the 13th century. On its front, we will see a pointed arch, with a double vault, supported on two pairs of connected columns. Above it is a large rose window in Cistercian style. On either side of the entrance are a buttress and two trumpet-shaped windows with pointed arches. Above the rose window is the shield symbolizing the Franciscans. On the left stands a tower with a bell tower. According to records, the convent was founded by Francisco de Asís, who stopped in Pontevedra on the Camino de Santiago route in Portugal. The arrival of the Franciscans in this city may have occurred 30 years after the 13th century. The historical fact is that, according to the records of the National Archives and the will of Arias Fernández, the property of the Armenteira monastery, the foundation existed as early as 1274. The building received financial help from the heirs of Pay Gómez Chariño in 2017. A plot of land from the Soutomaior residence, which was still on the outskirts of the city wall at the time. The splendor of this building aroused the jealousy of the Dominicans stationed in the city, who had completed the church ten years ago and decided to start building another church larger than the Franciscan church in 1380, with five apses. In 1362, the city began to build the cathedral of the Poor Clare Church, similar to the church of San Francisco, but smaller. In addition to these three buildings, the parish church of San Bartolomé also expanded between 1337 and 1339. This peak of construction was due to the large donations from wealthy families, who were afraid of dying from the Black Death that swept Europe in 1297. This church is of late Gothic or pointed style, and was declared a historical-artistic monument in 1896. It has a Latin cross plan, with a nave, transept, wooden roof and apse, the apse has three polygonal apses, covered with ribbed vaults. The building where the Treasury delegation is located was built in 1800, including the Dominican city gate of the 13th-century old city wall. Pontevedra Province, Galicia Autonomous Region

30 people's beautiful Spanish treasure travel destination

4. COMBARRO Not far from the ancient city of Pontevedra by the sea, there is a small town called Combarro. I still remember the local Spanish travelers from Alicante in the south of Spain. In addition to the Way of St. James, Combarro is also something they marvel and take pride in, just like the Great Wall of China! No matter how far the journey is, they want to witness it with their own eyes! Combarro has the three most representative architectural elements of Galicia, 'Hórreos' (raised granaries), 'Casas marineras' (sea houses) and Cross. Obviously, the architecture here is full of these three unique elements. Walking along the coast, you can see the old stone granaries everywhere, and the cross on top of the granaries, as well as the seaside houses of fishermen and residents. This is the first time I have set foot on this land that seems ancient and yet reveals human culture. It is completely different from all the Spanish cities and towns I have seen. Walking along the coast seems to have a Viking era feeling, imagining those movies related to the sea and fishermen, and quickly getting into character. Every street and corner that needs to be wandered forward is like a scene carved in novels and movies. The occasional grass and flowers on the wall, the strolling cats, and the ancient wells and high crosses on each plaza have quietly left a piece of my heart here...

Church of the Virgin Peregrina Igrexa da Virxe Pereg

Church of the Virgin Peregrina Igrexa da Virxe Peregrina Praza da Peregrina, 5, 36001 Pontevedra The Church of the Pilgrim Virgin is a religious building located in the city of Pontevedra in Galicia (Spain). It is composed of a scallop-shaped chapel located at the foot of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal. It began to be built in 1778 and is one of the most symbolic and relevant buildings in the city of Pontevedra. It is dedicated to the Virgin, who, according to tradition, guides the pilgrims from Bayonne to Santiago. The church houses the statue of the Virgin Peregrina (Virxe da Peregrina, 19th century), who is the patron saint of the province of Pontevedra and also the guardian of the Portuguese Way. It was declared a historical-artistic monument in 1982, merging late Baroque and Neoclassical forms, such as the main altarpiece built in 1789. The inspiration for its floor plan comes from the scallop shell, a typical symbol of the pilgrim, with a cross at the end. This circular shape is related to the type prevalent in Portuguese temples at the time. Admiral Casto Méndez Núñez donated a huge Tridacna shell, which he brought back from the Pacific on one of his many voyages, and it is located at the entrance of the church, serving as a stoup. The clock on the north tower was installed in 1896, from the now demolished Hospital of San Juan de Dios. The church also installed the hospital's bell. The first restoration of the temple took place in 1981, to repair serious structural damage (large cracks in the building due to foundation movement). It was carried out by César Portela and José Bar Boo. The second most important restoration work took place in 2008, repairing elements such as stained glass windows, walls, paintings and the clock tower. This is a centrally planned church. The inspiration for its floor plan comes from the scallop shell, a characteristic symbol of the pilgrim, with a cross engraved inside the shell. The floor plan is circular, but by including the foyer, it presents the shape of a scallop shell. The circular hall that makes up the temple itself is made up of four grooved wall pillars, supporting low front arches, with protruding cornices above. Above it stands a dome with a crescent and a lantern. It has a dome, a lantern and a dome. Inside the temple, the rectangular presbytery is covered by a groin vault. The main altarpiece is in the Neoclassical style, made in imitation of the style of Melchor de Prado in 1789, although it was modified by his brothers Manuel Gambino and Juan Pernas Gambino. Its ending is a gable wall, with a relief of the Flight into Egypt and the image of the Pilgrim Virgin, holding the Infant Jesus in her arms, both dressed in cloaks, holding the pilgrim's staff and carrying a gourd. The painting of Santa Clara by Polanco and the replica of the Roman Madonna of San Onofre by Peruzzi stand out. Also noteworthy is the stoup of the nave, decorated with the Tridacna shell brought from the Pacific by Méndez Núñez. The main facade was completed by Antonio Souto and Bernardo José de Mier, in front of which is a courtyard with stairs, surrounded by a balustrade with pinnacles. At the foot of the stairs is a fountain, topped by a sculpture of Teucer. The courtyard and fountain in front of the church form a unique and beautiful urban complex. The Baroque facade is convex, with two bodies. The lower one is decorated with pilasters, the upper one with Corinthian columns, topped by a house, with the image of the Mother of the Pilgrims, the patron saint of the province of Pontevedra, in the niche, and the images of Santiago and San Roque in the niches on either side. The three are dressed as pilgrims. The niche has a scallop-shaped vault and is decorated with earlobes. At the top is a split pediment, in the centre of which is a sculpture symbolising the image of faith; on either side stand two equal towers, giving the temple a strange slender, elegant and solemn appearance. The lower half has a large semicircular doorway, the lintel separates the door, above the lintel are three upper gable windows, the centre one is triangular, the sides are curved. Pontevedra, Pontevedra Province

Basilica of Santa Maria is an imposing church in #barcelona, #spain, built between 1329 and 1383. It is an outstanding Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that is very unusual in large medieval buildings. #unforgetabletrip #church #happynewyear