Travel Guide Pontevedra

With its 82,000 inhabitants, the capital of the province is very small at the bottom of its ría. Wedged between the tumultuous Ría de Arousa and the industrial Vigo, the old town of Pontevedra has a small medieval enclosure, full of taverns and old houses, on the banks of the Río Lérez. Its commercial port, one of the most dynamic on the Galician coast, had its heyday from the Middle Ages until the 18th century. Its wealth was based on fishing and the salting of sardines. However, the river silted up and Marín, 7 km away, inherited the port and the industrial complex. An activity that has now been replaced by the textile sector. According to a Galician poem: "Pontevedra is a good city that gives a drink to those who pass by the fountain of Herrería. "Next to the Peregrina church, the square offers its benches and terraces to walkers. In terms of food, be sure to try the typical specialities, including all the pig products, which are raised in the province, and the products of the sea. Don't forget to try the caldos albariños, white wine broths from Galicia, which accompany the fish. And if it's a Saturday, take advantage of the market located in the Rosalía de Castro Park. Thus preserved, Pontevedra is a charming stopover with many surprises in store.The old town is a monument in itself: visit the churches and taverns as you go. The Plaza de la Leña, with its arcades and naive calvary, is a perfect recreation of a medieval village square. Not far away, the Plaza Teucro, with its spectacular coat of arms, is clearly marked by the local nobility. In the Plaza de Mugartegui, a palace houses the Provincial Museum, and the Plaza de la Herrería has a fountain in the gardens in front of the San Francisco church. Not forgetting the Plaça de la Verdura. As you walk around, look out for the many bronze statues, ghostly figures, that make Pontevedra intriguing at night. For a touch of nature, go to the banks of the river Lérez, which have been developed as a leisure and recreation area. You will also find preserved rushes and islets and you can contemplate the sculptures on the island of the same name (Illa da Xunqueira)