HISTORY

"If history is your passion, Ribadavia is the place for you."

Because of its unique and advantageous geographical position, throughout history Ribadavia has been colonised by many different peoples and civilisations, and many artefacts from the Celtic and Roman cultures have been found in and around the town.

MEMORIES OF THE PAST

More than 2000 years ago Ribadavia and the Ribeiro region was in the hands of the Celts. The region was seen to be of high importance, not only because of its beauty, but also due to its mines and mountains, for its rivers of gold and for its thermal waters rich in minerals, and as such, it has always been a highly populated area. People from the Iberian Peninsula, Celts and Romans have all inhabited this land through the course of history, and have left precious artefacts in all corners of the region. The Celts, who built their homes in Ribadavia, San Vicenzo, Man da Moura, San Trocado, Lansbrica, Eira de Mouros, Lapela, Beade, Chan da Moura, Santa Marta, Castrelo de Miño, etc., left us the name of the river Avia, and many artefacts from their buildings and jewellery which can now be found in our museums. The Romans also inhabited the area, extracting the gold from the river Miño and using the thermal waters, and they also left an important legacy (altars, footware, coins, etc.). It is said that it is thanks to the Romans that we now have vineyards in this region.

THE HISTORY OF BURGO IN RIPPA AVIE

It was in Christian times, from the 8th to the 12th century when the region began to develop, largely thanks to the monasteries of Valparaiso, Barcena, Arnoia, Castrillo, Gomariz, San Clodio, etc., and the many fortresses situated throughout the region: San Xés, La Mota, Sande, Novoa, Pena Corneira, Castro de Miño, Castro de Veiga, Orcellón, Roucos, Cabanelas and Castro Cavadoso. Because of this, in the X century the region became known as the “land of castles”. Throughout this time agriculture began to develop, and the Monastery in Arnoia became the first farmers union ever recorded.

It was in Christian times, mainly from the 11th century onwards, when Ribadavia´s prestige and importance began to increase, and, according to tradition, between 1065 and 1071 it was appointed the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia by King García, and in 1164 the town was awarded the Royal Charter by King Fernando II. Driven by the power of the Monasteries of San Clodio, Melón and Oseira, as well as the increased production and commercialisation of the Ribeiro wine, Ribadavia began to expand both demographically and economically from the 12th century onwards.

Ribadavia was home to a thriving and prosperous Jewish Community, which lived in the various streets and squares situated close to the Porta Nova (New gate). They were considered to be good administrators and managers, and for the most part they worked as businessmen, administrators and artisans.

In 1375 Don Pedro Ruiz Sarmiento was named Lord of Ribadavia by Enrique II of Trastámara, and ruled Galicia in the name of the King. As a result, Ribadavia lost its royal status.

The power of the Sarmiento family was further reinforced in 1476 when Don Bernardino Pérez Sarmiento was named Count of Ribadavia by the “Reyes Católicos” (Fernando and Isabel) in return for their support in the Reconquest.

The Sarmiento family married into other families of nobles and as such acquired more possessions and titles throughout all of Spain, but especially in Castilla. As a result, the Sarmiento Coat of Arms, comprised of 13 “bezantes de oro” (gold circles) can be found on many civil and religious buildings not only in Ribadavia and the Ribeiro but also throughout Spain.

During this period Ribadavia experienced a boom in wine production, resulting in increased wealth and prosperity for the town. The 15th century saw the start of the most prosperous period in Ribadavia and in all the Ribeiro, with the 16th and 17th centuries being the most successful of all. The production and distribution of the Ribeiro wine reached new heights as it was exported to England, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany and other parts of Europe, and the Ribeiro became one of the most prosperous regions in all of Spain. The Ribeiro label was revered throughout Europe as one of the best and this has been recognised by Cervantes in his book “El Licenciado Vidriera”, and in Molina´s “Description of the Kingdom of Galicia”, when he describes Ribadavia as the “Mother of wine”.

It was the golden age for the Ribeiro, and today in almost all the towns of the region and in many cities in Galicia, impressive historic houses and buildings still stand as a testimony to the prosperity and wealth that the sale of the wine brought to the region. Because of the high price of this wine in both the internal and the European market, there was not a monastery, convent, town council or noble in all of Galicia that did not own land (vineyards) in the Ribeiro. This wine that was so appreciated in half the World made Ribadavia one of the most prosperous and prestigious towns in Galician history.

The wine was distributed on a large scale to England, France, Scotland, Belgium and America, and even to supply the troops of the Spanish Armada. It was only religious differences with England, one of the biggest consumers of the Ribeiro wine in Europe, which caused the break of the commercial agreement.

Today Ribadavia bears witness to and is a symbol of the Ribeiro´s glorious past. It shows the history of a region that produces one of the best and highest quality white wines in the world, and for centuries has made the name of the Ribeiro, and of Galicia, famous in Europe and throughout the world.