MONUMENTAL RIBADAVIA

The capital of the Ribeiro still preserves today many unique architectural features and a medieval flavour. Evidence of its glorious past can be found in its pazos (nobles´ houses), in its manor houses adorned with coats of arms, in its rivers, churches and convents, and of course in its traditions and festivals, of which the wine of the region has played the most important role for the last 1.100 years.

MONUMENTS OF INTEREST

PAZO DE LOS CONDES IN RIBADAVIA (XVII-XVIII centuries)
A Barroque-style manor house that belonged to the Sarmiento family. In 1375, D. Pedro Rúiz Sarmiento was named Lord of Ribadavia by King Enrique II, and in 1476, the family received the title of Count of Ribadavia by the Catholic Monarchs, in return for their support in the reconquest. This title was lost in 1948 with the death of the XVIII Count. Situated in the main square of the town, today much of the house is used as the Tourist Information Centre, the Jewish Information Centre and the Law Court. On the outer wall there is a coat of arms of the Sarmiento family (13 gold coins) as well as a crown, and the coat of arms of the Castro and Mendoza families.

TOWN HALL AND BELL TOWER (XVI century)
Construction began in 1545 and was completed in 1555 to host the town council meetings. In the XIX century the facade was renovated. From the original building the tower still remains intact today, made up of three supports. In the first you will find the door, the arch and the old staircase. On the second you can see two shields, one in white and the other being the official coat of arms of Ribadavia, representing a bridge with three arches, the River Avia, the sun, the moon and two wings.
On the third there is the sundial dating from 1733 and the clock dating from 1902 and the caved iron bell.

TOWN GATES (XIV-XV centuries)
According to some stories, the wall dates from the XII century and was further extended in the XIV and XV centuries. Its demolition began in 1832 but, because of economic difficulties, it was never completed. Today, in some places, the wall reaches a height of 5 metres, and three of the five original gates still remain.
1 – La Porta da Cerca (West) protected by bricks up to 3 metres thick.
2 – La Porta Nova or Porta de Celanova (New Gate, South), which leads to the River Miño.
3 – La Porta Falsa or Postigo (Southeast), which leads to the mill. 

CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA MAGDALENA (XVIII century)
Built in the XII century and known as the Parish of San Xés, it used to be within the castle walls. The current building possibly dates from the XVIII century with a barroque facade and bell tower. After the expulsion of the Jews by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, the church of San Xés relocated to the Jewish district to serve the converted Jews, and since then it became known as the Magdalena Church.

RÚA DOS FORNOS Y EXTRAMUROS (XII and XV centuries)
This street, which is one of the oldest and most traditional in the town, gets its name from the number of bakeries there used to be.

SANTIAGO CHURCH
This is an excellent example of a romanic style, XII century church with a barroque tower, and it was the oldest parish in Ribadavia. The building is beautifully decorated, and of particular note are the arches and the rose window. Inside you will find many artistic barroque images, including a statue of Santiago dating from the XIV century, from the school of Master Mateo.

ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF RIBADAVIA (XVIII century Manor House)
The museum is in what used to be the house of the Marquis of Baamonde, and is one of the most interesting in Galicia. It houses various pieces and expositions of great ethnographic and archaeological value, as well as an impressive collection of traditional Galician ceramics. It also offers a complete library and a wealth of documents that can be viewed on request.

SAN FRANCISCO BRIDGE (XIII century)
According to some experts this bridge was built in the XIII century by the Dominican Frai Pedro González Telmo, popularly known as “San Telmo”. The significant changes to the bridge took place in the XVI century, and in the XX century when it was adapted for traffic and pedestrian use.

THE IRON BRIDGE
This railway bridge was constructed at the end of the XIX century. Its style, along with many others built at the time in Galicia and Portugal, reflect the style of Eiffel.

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