5 Wonderful Towns In Lugo That Will Make You Fall In Love
Lugo is one of the four provinces that are part of the Galician community. Although its northern location makes it prone to rain, its green forests, rivers, beaches and mountainous landscapes make it a very attractive place for tourists. Are you ready to meet them? Today we pack our bags and head to the towns of Lugo!
Some curiosities about Lugo
The city of Lugo was founded in the 25th century BC by the Romans. It is the oldest in Galicia. The capital has remains of its wall, declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
As for the province, it is the largest of the four that make up the community, although it is the third most populated: first the capital, and then its towns. The river Miño passes through it, and smaller rivers circulate through its northern zone.
Its landscapes are so varied that it is undoubtedly a region full of contrasts, with beaches, cliffs, mountains, dense forests and rivers.
Charming towns of Lugo
Apart from its capital, the towns of Lugo are the perfect place to escape for a weekend. Dare to lose yourself in them and in the wonderful Galician landscape.
1. Monforte de Lemos
It is located in the south of Galicia and is the capital of the region. Its origins date back to the Paleolithic era, as various tribes inhabited it, as the Romans found. Later it was these who inhabited the place.
During the Middle Ages it was an important nucleus of coexistence between Jews and Christians. Most of its monuments were built during this period. Later, the arrival of the railway in 1883 made it the most important railway junction in Galicia.
The most outstanding monument is the monastery of San Vicente del Pino, flanked by the remains of the castle and its walls, and where the Parador is currently located. We must also mention the Colegio de Nuestra Señora de la Antigua.
2. Ribadeo
It is a town of Lugo located in the northeast area, on the border with the Principality of Asturias. In it is the Eo estuary, which provides the municipality with a fantastic landscape open to the sea.
In addition, there is one of the best known beaches in Galicia: Las Catedrales beach. It has been declared a Natural Monument by the Galician council due to the appearance of its cliffs. It is located ten kilometers from the town, in the western area.
The best views of the beach, arches and caves can be seen at low tide. They have a height of about 30 meters and very interesting caves.
3. Villalba
It is located to the north of the capital of the province and has fourteen thousand inhabitants. This town of Lugo has the peculiarity of having a tree with its own name, specifically a white maple. It is located at the entrance of the town, near the village inn.
The origins of the municipality date back to the Middle Ages. In addition, the city runs the coastal route of the Camino de Santiago. Undoubtedly, it is a quiet town, where you can visit the Andrade castle keep, the current Parador de Turismo, the Penas-Corbeiras pazo and the neoclassical church of Santa María.
4. Foz
It is a coastal municipality, therefore located on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea. The river Masma flows into it, where the Foz estuary is formed. Although it was formerly a fishing village, today it is a tourist place, partly because of the estuary that forms on the coast.
The most important places you can visit in this town are the Basilica of San Martiño, considered the oldest cathedral in Spain, the Castro de Fazouro and the Pazo del Conde de Fontao. In addition, it has numerous beaches, such as A Rapadoira, Llas, Pampillosa, Os Xuncos and Fondás.
5. Viveiro
Like Monforte de Lemos, it is one of the oldest municipalities in Galicia. Its beginnings date back to the Iron Age. In it the Vivero estuary is formed, a view that you cannot miss. And along with this, there is also its historical heritage, because in the municipality there are many archaeological remains from different times.
Formerly, the municipality was surrounded by walls and towers, but only half is preserved. It also has religious monuments and natural places. For example, the church of Santa María del Campo or the church of San Francisco stand out. And as for natural places, there are the island of Area or the viewpoint of San Roque.
Of course, these are just a few touches of the many towns in Lugo that you cannot miss. There are also some others, such as O Cebreiro, Mondoñedo or Belesar. Galicia has some beautiful natural landscapes that are hardly known so, dare to be the first to discover them!
