Travel Guide Vigo

With almost 300,000 inhabitants, it is the most populated city in Galicia. Vigo is famous for this historical anecdote: in October 1702, a fleet of 19 galleons protected by 23 French escort ships entered the estuary of Vigo from Mexico. The cargo of 108 million gold coins and other precious goods attracted a lot of attention. An Anglo-Dutch squadron fought a fierce naval battle against the Spanish-French fleet. 40 ships were sunk to the bottom. It is estimated that more than 50 million coins still lie in a bed of mud at the bottom of the bay. Jules Verne had some of them brought up by Captain Nemo's divers, on board the Nautilus.. This port is linked to those of Le Havre, Southampton and New York. For the Spaniards, Vigo is synonymous with fishing and emigration, as it was the point of embarkation for thousands of Galicians who left for the Americas in the 18th and early 20th centuries. Despite this rich past, the great industrial metropolis is devoid of any charm. Only the old fishermen's quarter of Berbés and the Castro Park which dominates the city are worth a visit. The tourist office (www.turismodevigo.org) is open every day and is located at Estación Maritima de Ria Canovas del Castillo, 3.