A Historical Walking Tour of Pontevedra

We start this historic walking tour (click the map here) at one of the most important historical landmarks of Pontevedra - the Ruínas de San Domingos or the Ruins of Santo Domingo at Avenida Montero Rios. Founded in 1282, it is the oldest museum in Pontevedra. Its well-preserved Galician Gothic architecture and medieval walls have stood witness to the city’s significant past and is one of the most-loved tourist destinations of the city. To this day, the site enjoys the protection and status of being part of Bienes de Interes Cultural or Cultural Interest Assets of Spain.

On the left hand side of the ruins is the Monumento ós Heroes de Pontesampaio or the Pontesampaio Heroes Monument in the middle of Praza de España. The monument is a bronze sculpture portraying a group of farmers, students, and soldiers who fought against French troops during the War of Independence.

Turning right toward Rúa Alameda, enjoy the pleasant walk until you reach Alameda de Pontevedra. This spacious park offers a relaxing and quiet respite, with benches, gardens, and trees that burst into full blooms during spring. Due to its size, the Alameda is also a common venue for trade fairs, open markets, and other socio-cultural activities of the city.

Head southwest on Rúa Alameda toward the roundabout, and take the 1st exit onto Av. la Reina Victoria Eugenia. To your right, you will see the smaller Alameda Park, with beautiful gardens and children's playground.

Continue onto Praza Augusto García Sánchez until you reach Praza de Galicia. This is a well-maintained park with a huge central fountain and surrounded by trees. The refreshing green contrast against the buildings is a relaxing sight for the passers-by.

Our next destination is Praza da Peregrina. Let us go north toward Rúa Andrés Muruais. Upon reaching Rúa Peregrina, head northbound until you reach Praza da Peregrina. The focal point of the square is the Capela da Peregrina or the Chapel of the Virgin of the Pilgrim. Across the square is the Loro Ravachol. It is a small bronze statue of an African grey parrot, with the inscription, 'Soul of the Pontevedra Carnival' at its base. The parrot was owned by Don Perfecto Feijoo and lived in a pharmacy located in the square in the 18th century. Ravachol had learned quite an extensive vocabulary from its owner and also the customers of the pharmacy. Its vocabulary included expletives, threats, and rude phrases to the amusement of the customers. When it died, people of the city gathered to attend the funeral.

Head east of Praza da Peregrina and on your right, you will arrive at Xardins de Castro Sampedro. It is a large open garden with a fountain at the centre. Also home to Convento de San Francisco de Pontevedra - a massive 13th-century Gothic building with a traditional influence of mendicant architecture. Inside the convent, you will find religious sculptures, paintings, and medieval tombs.

Just across the convent is the Praza da Ferraría. This is an important town square with a lively ambience. Here is where you will often hear street musicians playing, and it’s the perfect place to stop for a cold beverage in one of the terrace cafes.

Following the same street, you will find to your right, the Praza Da Leña. It is a small square with respectfully-preserved medieval buildings, with traditional Galician architecture. The terraces and restaurants surrounding the square make the atmosphere vibrant.

Head further north to Rúa Sarmiento turn left to Rúa Arcos de San Bartolomeu, and you will reach Parroquia de San Bartolomé or the Parish of San Bartolome. This is a majestic church constructed in the 18th century, featuring an impressive Baroque architecture with large columns and exquisite altarpieces.

We have seen many historic structures so far, now let's go visit the must-see destinations on the outskirts of the city. Trace back your steps to Rúa Sarmiento, and continue onto Rúa Santa Clara. To your right, you will not miss the gorgeous 14th-century building of Convento de Santa Clara. The intricate doors and window arch carvings are still remarkable despite centuries of exposure to natural elements.

For a shorter version of the walk (2,5km), from here you can simply skip across to Praza de Pedreira. See the map below, And then skip ahead in this article to Praza de Pedreira.

Click this map.

For the longer walk continue with the original map and Turn left onto Rúa do Padre Gaite, and to your right, you will be walking along the walls of Pista de Atletismo, the city athletic track field.

Approaching the roundabout, you will catch the sight of a spectacular bridge that lies ahead. The roundabout has a small garden which has two concrete anchors of the huge suspension cables that hold the bridge of Puente Tirantes.

Take the exit onto Rua Jose Malvar Figueroa, and you are now entering Puente Tirantes or Straps Bridge. This suspension bridge is a modern engineering marvel - a welcome contrast to our historical tour. If you happen to visit during strong monsoon winds, you will hear the cables of the bridge, hum. It is worth visiting during the night when the lights are turned on and focused to highlight the unique design of the bridge.

After crossing the bridge, exit the roundabout to your right, following the Paseo Enseniero Rafael Areses.

You will be walking along the scenic banks of the Lerez River onto a natural island formation where the Illa das Esculturas or Island of Sculptures is found. This well-loved destination is a unique fusion of nature preserve, the collaboration of art installations, and modern science. The works of art found on the island are masterpieces of twelve artists, who were tasked to depict their artistic interpretation of the relationship of man to nature. The verdant grassy fields, tree-lined path, the serene waters and the view of the gleaming white suspension bridge will bring a different kind of calm and peace, as you pause and sit on one of the stone benches to rest your feet.

After a brief appreciation of the beauty of Illa das Esculturas, let’s head back to the city by walking through the campus of Universitario de Pontevedra. It is a pleasant walk through academic buildings, faculty and student facilities, and well-kept grounds.

Head west on Rúa Celso Emilio Ferreiro, at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av. Compostela/N-550. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Rúa Xoán Manuel Pintos - at this intersection, is the Pavillón Municipal dos Deportes de Pontevedra, an athletic stadium with modern facilities.

Turn left onto our next destination, the Ponte do Burgo. This bridge is an iconic entry to the City of Pontevedra. As you walk across, pay homage to the centuries of events that this bridge had witnessed. Its foundation dates back to the Roman empire. The bridge played a vital role in the development of commerce, navigation, and the fishing industries of Pontevedra.

(The shorter walk starts from here again.)

After crossing the bridge, turn left onto Av. de Buenos Aires/N-550. Head straight to Rúa Sierra, turn right to Rúa Cesar Boente and you will reach Praza da Pedreira. This is where Pazo de Mugartegui is located. A Baroque-style building with a complex façade of coats of arms of the noble families of Figueroa, Araújo, Miranda and Quirós, with an elegant sundial around it. Currently, it houses a wine museum.

Click this map.

Traceback your steps to Rúa Cesar Boente and continue, until the intersection of Rúa Sarmiento. Here you will be greeted by the curious Monument of Valle Inclán or Ramón María del Valle-Inclán y de la Peña. He is a well-revered radical dramatist and novelist born in Pontevedra in 1866. This work of art is a standalone, life-size statue of Valle Inclán, with his authentic eccentric looks, standing by the intersection like a regular pedestrian.

Follow along Rúa Sarmiento until you reach Praza da Verdura to your right, a small square where you can find the Oficina Municipal de Turismo de Pontevedra or the city's tourism office. Anybody new to Pontevedra should visit this office at one point of your journey. They have free comprehensive maps, transportation network guides, and helpful tips on how to make the most out of your visit to Pontevedra. Local businesses often leave discount coupons at the counter for anybody to take.

Leaving the tourism office, trace your steps back to the monument of Valle Inclán, and head west along Rúa Sarmiento until Rúa Real, turn right, and after a few steps, you will find Rúa Isabel II. Stay on Rúa Isabel II and head further west until you eventually reach the Basílica de Santa María a Maior de Pontevedra.

This Basilica is a 16th century Catholic Church with a gorgeous Spanish Elizabethan Gothic architecture with Portuguese-Manueline influence. The west façade is a fascinating display of intricate arches, sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Blessed Virgin, biblical events and characters, and a rosette window. Located on the highest point of the city, if you have the energy you can climb the 100 steps up the Bell Tower, where you will find a museum, and gorgeous views of the city and the River Lerez.

The interior of the Basilica is breathtaking, you will see the ribbed vaulted ceilings, the walls and pulpit carvings, paintings, and several historically-valuable altarpieces. The Basilica enjoys the status of Historic-Artistic Monument, Site of Cultural Interest, and the distinction of Royal Sanctuary by the King. Its architectural significance gave its name as the Pearl of Galician Art.

Now, let's head south along Santa Maria Avenue, and take the first right to enter the CITA, or Centro de Interpretación das Torres Arcebispais, an underground museum which tells the history of Pontevedra through a mixed media of art installations and digital arts.

Emerging from the museum, you will find yourself back at the Praza de España where you can see the Ruins of Santo Domingo, on the other side of the square. We are back at the starting point of our tour.

Take one of the alfresco seats of Panadería A Devesa, order a cold beverage or a cup of coffee, sit back and relish a second look of the ruins.