Galicia is a region of Spain with a number of architectural jewels together in a small space. Many of them, moreover, date back to the medieval period and have been preserved to allow us to imagine what this land was like at that time. In this article we focus on the medieval castles in Galicia that are most imposing on the eye.
And, if you are preparing a tour of the medieval castles in Galicia, you should know that you can rent a car in Santiago de Compostela to organise everything smoothly. Ready to go? Let's start the trip!
Medieval castles of Galicia not to be missed
As we have mentioned, Galicia is full of monuments and historical sites dating back to medieval times. We have compiled a list of what we consider to be the most interesting ones, although it is not easy to condense them all onto a single page. However, if you are travelling to Galicia and renting a car, you will have the freedom to customise the route to your liking.
Monterrei Castle
The origin of this castle, located in Verín, dates back to Roman times, although it was not until the Middle Ages when it reached its peak. Therefore, it should not be unusual to see that, in addition to the castle, there are the remains of an entire city underneath it as an acropolis. It is also one of the best preserved in the region.
Verín lies on the border with Portugal, and Monterrei Castle was built with defence in mind. Today it is a Parador, but it can be visited freely or by arranging a guided tour beforehand.
Castle of Pambre
In the municipality of Palas de Rei in Lugo we find the castle of Pambre, where you can see the type of military architecture built in medieval times. It dates back to the 16th century, and was one of the key locations in the Irmandiña Wars. In fact, this was the only Galician castle that remained standing after these attacks, becoming a symbol.
Doiras Castle
The castle of Doiras, located in Cervantes (Lugo), is also a highlight thanks to its combination with the landscape where it is located. It is a fortress located on a hill next to the Cancelada river, in the Ancares mountain range.
Vimianzo Castle
Vimianzo Castle, also popularly known as Torres de Martelo, is located in this town in A Coruña. Its level of preservation is striking, even though it was originally built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Currently, it belongs to the A Coruña District Council and one of its dramatised visits is highly recommended.
Sobroso Castle
Easily recognisable by its three-part structure, this is another of the most iconic medieval castles in Galicia. It is located in Mondariz (Pontevedra), in the Vilasobroso valley. This castle is well known because it was here that Doña Urraca was imprisoned before fleeing to León.
It was later destroyed during the Irmandiñas Revolts, although it was rebuilt and restored. Today, it houses the Centro de Recuperación y Difusión da Cultura Popular de Ponteareas (Centre for the Recovery and Dissemination of Popular Culture of Ponteareas).
Narahío Castle
If you visit this castle, you will thank us for the recommendation. It is, perhaps, one of the least known enclaves of Galicia, and that is also part of its charm. The castle is located on top of a 1300-foot rock near the Castro River, and although the ruins are currently preserved, its location is one of the most spectacular in all of Galicia. In fact, we recommend a walk along the path next to the castle to reach the Narahío waterfall.
Castle of San Paio de Narla
In the small town of Friol (Lugo) we find the fortress of San Paio de Narla, located on top of a very well preserved castro. The castle dates back to the 13th century. In fact, today it houses the historical and ethnographic museum of Lugo.
How to visit the medieval castles of Galicia
We have seen that Galicia has an enormous variety of medieval castles, each one more interesting than the last. And, although it is not a very large province, the best way to travel this route is by renting a car in Galicia with OK Mobility, since the castles are not readily accessible by public transport.
At OK Mobility we offer you a wide variety of cars for rent, and we will advise you on which one best suits your needs, so you can travel back in time to the medieval era without any hassle!
post
