Pontevedra

Among the most beautiful cities of the autonomous community of Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, there is Pontevedra, which boasts a fascinating historical centre that is worth visiting.
Its name comes from the Latin and means “old bridge”, for the first bridge built during the Roman era and which was rebuilt in the Middle Ages.

Over the centuries, other bridges were built to connect the city from one point to another of the inlet in which Pontevedra is located, until to became its symbol together with the Church of la Peregrina, a unique circular church, in which pilgrims stop, taking the Portuguese Way that leads to Santiago; and to the Ravachol parrot, famous between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century for its dialogues and expressions that surprised the inhabitants of the city who frequented the pharmacy in the historic centre where it was with its owner.

But these symbols are not the only reason why to visit the charming Pontevedra. Walking through the streets of the centre you can see different species of trees that embellish its avenues and squares, such as the Mexican palm, the Canary Island palm, the ash tree, the magnolia, and take pictures of the species of waterfowles that populate the city parks like the heron, the kingfisher, the seagull.
Another element that characterizes the city is the architecture of its religious, civil and medieval buildings that seem not to have suffered the passage of time.

ARCHITECTURE

Among the religious buildings tourists can appreciate:

  • the Ruins of Santo Domingo: remains of the church of the convent of Santo Domingo, now it is part of the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra.
  • The Real Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor: of which the main facade in the plateresque style stands out
  • the Church of la Peregrina: the symbol of the city for its circular construction. The Virgin Peregrina is the patron saint of the province of Pontevedra and of the Portuguese way of Santiago
  • the Church of San Francisco: of which the Romanesque facade with the rose window is all that remains of the previous building.

Among the civil buildings tourists can appreciate:

  • Pazo de los Condes de Maceda
  • Pazo de García Florez: currently one of the branches of the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra
  • Pazo de Castro Monteagudo: one of the branches of the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra
  • Casa de los Fonseca: location of the Provincial Historical Archive
  • Palacete de las Mendoza
  • Cuartel de San Fernando: faculty of the Fine Arts

Among the medieval constructions:

  • Wall of Pontevedra: remains of the medieval wall that can be seen in different parts of the city.
  • Puente del Burgo: bridge of Roman origin, later rebuilt.
  • Monument to the heroes of Puente Sampayo: a sculptural group commemorating the victory of the inhabitants of Pontevedra on the Napoleonic troops at the battle of Puentesampayo in June 1809.
  • Barrio marinero de la Moureira: a neighbourhood where you can see some old fishermen’s houses.
  • Fuentes de hierro: four fountains that symbolize the first arrival of water in Pontevedra.
  • Plaza de la Herrería: the most popular square. Its name is due to the smiths who created weapons for the Catholic Kings
  • Plaza de la Peregrina: the meeting point of the city.
  • Plaza de la Leña

The bridges are another important aspect of the city, and walking through it you can meet some of them very suggestive:

  • Puente del Burgo
  • Puente de la Barca: a bridge built higher to let the boats pass
  • Puente de Santiago
  • Puente de los Tirantes: a modern bridge
  • Puente de las Corrientes

NATURAL PARKS

Pontevedra is not only stone and cement, it is also made of trees, plants and green spaces where you can escape from the routine of a big city, play sports or simply spend a pleasant time with family and friends.

Among the parks and natural spaces of Pontevedra stand out:

  • Alameda de Pontevedra
  • Parque de las Palmeras: the most popular in the city.
  • Plaza de Barcelos
  • Parque Rosalía de Castro
  • Parque de la Isla de las Esculturas: where to practice sports, walk or picnic.
  • Parque de las marismas del Alba: declared a natural space of local Galician interest due to its flora and fauna.
  • Parque de Valdecorvos: natural space
  • Parque de Lourizán: the most important botanical park in Galicia, with various paths, fountains and tree-lined spaces.

MUSEUMS

To deepen the art and history of Pontevedra, Galicia and the rest of Spain you can visit its museums:

  • the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra: divided into six buildings (the Ruins of Santo Domingo, the Building Sarmiento, the Building Castro Monteagudo, Building García Flórez, Building Fernández López, Sexto Building)
  • The Museum Centro de interpretación de las torres del Arzobispo

CULTURAL TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS

If you want to take advantage of an event of tourist interest to get to know the city, in Pontevedra people celebrate:

  • the Carnival: in February with masked parades and the Fiesta del Entroido which includes the burial of the Ravachol parrot, born in the late nineteenth century and died in the carnival period, which each year appears dressed in a different way.
  • The International Jazz and Blues Festival: In July
  • Los Maios: people celebrate the arrival of spring in May.
  • Fiestas de la Peregrina: in August people celebrate the patron saint of the province of Pontevedra and of the Portuguese way to Santiago.
  • Fiestas de Santiaguiño del Burgo: celebrations of the patron of the Burgo district in the city. It is celebrated in the days around the 25th of July. It includes the procession of grapes, corn and folk festivals with attractions and fireworks.
  • Feira Franca: a medieval festival commemorating the day when King Henry IV, in the year 1467, authorized the celebration of the market without paying taxes. People celebrate it on the first weekend of September.
  • Fiesta de la calabaza: a pumpkin festival that is celebrated in March
  • Puente de Tapas: competition for the preparation of innovative and creative, classic tapas. It is celebrated in the last days of November and first ten days of December.

GASTRONOMY

As for the gastronomy of Pontevedra, it is characterized by the quality of its products and dishes that have as main ingredient fresh fish, meat and vegetables.
Among the most famous dishes of the Pontevedra tradition there are: the pulpo a la feira (click here to see the recipe), the lamprea (like eels), the empanada de zamburiñas (pastry with variegated scallop as main ingredient, click here to see the recipe of empanada gallega) and the filloas (like thin pancakes).

OTHER CITIES OF GALICIA TO VISIT

A Coruña. The Glass City

guide book A Coruña The glass city
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