ENVIRONMENT
¿Where we are?
Rural o Urbano is located in a privileged natural environment in the municipality of Paradela, located southwest of the province of Lugo (Galicia).
The municipality of Paradela limits to the north with the municipality of O Páramo, to the south with the municipality of O Saviñao and the municipality of Bóveda, to the east with the municipality of Sarria and the municipality of Incio, and to the west with the municipality of Portomarin and the municipality of Taboada.
Paradela is a part of the territorial demarcation of Ribeira Sacra. A rich and increaingly famous territory located on the banks of the rivers Miño, Cabe (south of the province of Lugo) and Sil (north of the province of Ourense).
Historical heritage
Among others, three monumental buildings with many history stand out in our municipality:
The Monastery of San Facundo de Ribas de Miño (12th century) was named an asset of cultural interest in 1982. Its architectural style is Romanesque. Its cemetery is the only one in Galicia with all the tombstones in Galician. This romanic jewel is located within the hiking route called “Camiño vello de Aldosende”. A fantastic walking route lined with vineyards on the banks of the river Miño.
The Church of Santa María de Ferreiros (12th-13th century). It is located in the village of Mirallos. It is located in the 27th stage of the French Way of Saint James, a few metres from the famous 100th kilometre. Its architectural style is Romanesque, in which the stone triumphal arch at the entrance stands out.
O Muiño da Retorta, is one of the most important water mills on the Loio River. It is surrounded by giant hundred-year-old oaks and has a spectacular state of conservation. This water mill is located a few minutes away from a rural village with the same name, A Retorta.
Discover magnificent trails
Our municipality is the ambassador of the last part of one of the most beautiful stages of the French Way of St. James that runs between Sarria and Portomarín (stage 27); it is here where the famous milestone of the 100th kilometre is located.
If you dare to do it, either on foot or by bicycle, you will pass through several villages belonging to the rural parishes of Ferreiros, Francos, Laxe, Cortes and Loio.
You can also opt for two short hiking routes:
Ruta Do Loio PR-G 14:
- Distance: 7km / Duration: 3h / Difficulty: medium
- The route starts in Paradela and runs along the Loio river and its native forests. In the final section of this route is the famous Loio chapel, the only building still standing built by the Order of the Knights of Santiago, who founded their religious settlement in this area over a thousand years ago.
- The last kilometers of this route end along an asphalted road until it reaches the tributary of the river Miño. Where you can recharge your batteries in two good restaurant options: Restaurante Río Loio and Mesón do Loyo.
Camiño vello de Aldosende PR-G 249:
- Distance: 11,5km / Duration: 4h / Difficulty: medium
- Itinerary in which, step by step, the canyon of the Miño is discovered and skirted. This route is famous for its spectacular viewpoints from where you can enjoy breathtaking views, vineyards and the Monastery of San Facundo de Ribas de Miño, already mentioned before.
- The route ends in the village of Aldosende (Municipality of Paradela).
ENVIRONMENT
Lugo, Galicia’s most unknown province
The province of Lugo not only has a high gastronomic potential, but it also has a large number of places of tourist and cultural interest.
If you zoom in on the map detailed, you will find icons with information about the municipality of Paradela, as well as the main towns in Lugo, information of territorial interest and exceptional locations to visit.
Lugo, the capital of the province, is located on the top of a hill surrounded by mountainous areas through which flows, from its source in Pedregal de Irimia (Neira mountain range) the river Miño, the longest river in Galicia with a length of 315km.
We can boast of living in an authenctic and rich natural paradise.
Lugo has two biosphere reserves: Terras do Miño, Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerreá, Reserva do Eo, Oscos e Terras de Burón and Reserva da Ribeira Sacra e Serras do Courel.
¡We are sure that if you visit our land, you will not remain indifferent!
Here you can find all the information about the province of Lugo.
We recommend you to visit:
The city of Lugo
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History and contemporary character
Lugo is currently undergoing a great urban change in which sustainability, the constant promotion of local commerce and a modern commitment to quality services and responsible tourism are being emphasised.
The Roman wall of Lugo is undoubtedly the symbol par excellence of the city. It is the only Roman wall in the world with a completely closed perimeter. It has 10 access gates and 2km in length, which can be done on foot around the historic centre and enjoying breathtaking views, especially at sunset.
The city of Lugo was founded by Paulo Fabio Máximo in the service of Emperor Augustus in 25 BC, receiving the name of Lucus Augusti.
Its historical origin is synonymous with pride and is the main reason for the famous celebration of Arde Lucus. This festival has been held every June since 2001. The whole city is transformed, travels back in time and acquires its ancient Roman features. It was declared a festival of national interest in 2017.
Don’t hesitate to wander around the old town, especially Rúa Nova, Rúa da Cruz and Praza do Campo, if you want to enjoy a good wine and tapas session.
The city of Lugo has been part of the Primitive Way of St. James since the 8th century.
The Roman Wall and the Cathedral of Santa María de Lugo are both World Heritage Sites.
Ribeira Sacra
A treasure in the heart of Galicia
The Ribeira Sacra is the area between the southern part of the province of Lugo and the northern part of the province of Ourense.
Ribeira Sacra is very famous due the many wineries located along the banks of the rivers Miño, Sil and Cabe.
The municipalities that make up the Ribeira Sacra in Lugo are: Chantada, Carvalledo, O Saviñao, Sober, Bóveda, Taboada, Pantón, Monforte de Lemos, Quiroga, Paradela and Portomarín.
Its historic winemaking tradition dates back to Roman times. Nowadays, its wines are appreciated beyond our borders. Not only for its popular designation of origin, but also for being the maximum exponent of the term “heroic viticulture”.
Here the winegrowers work their vines defying the high altitudes of terraces of up to 85% slope over the river.
For centuries, the Ribeira Sacra was a place of settlement for many religious communities who decided to build their monasteries here. Today these are authentic marvels of European rural Romanesque art. A great example is the monastery of San Estevo de Ribas de Sil (Ourense).
For the more adventurous, you can enjoy water sports, routes on foot or by segway, navigate on the the Miño river and even panoramic balloon rides. But if you also want to discover and learn about the ethnographic history of the Ribeira Sacra, don’t hesitate to visit the Pazo de Arxeriz Ecomuseum.
Check all the information about the Ribeira Sacra here.
Os Ancares
High and imposing lands
Os Ancares is one of the regions of Lugo and a natural frontier that will welcome you when you arrive in Galicia by land.
They border Asturias to the east and Os Ancares in Castilla y León to the east.
Piedrafita do Cebreiro, Becerreá, Navia de Suarna, Cervantes and Piornedo are some of the most important towns in the region. The region is characterised by high peaks such as El Mustallar (1975 m) and Pena Larga (1890 m) among others.
During the winter, snow covers most of this territory. It is in spring when the meltwater flows down from the peaks, reactivating rivers, streams and waterfalls that are present well into autumn.
The popular pallozas are examples of the traditional and autochthonous architecture of the area. Presumably of Celtic origin, they are still used today.
The first Galician village in Os Ancares to welcome pilgrims on the French Way of Saint James is O Cebreiro. Here you can enjoy a fun pilgrim atmosphere during almost every month of the year.
Os Ancares is a protected natural area named Biosphere Reserve in 2006.
O Courel
Privileged natural environment
O Courel is a mountain range located in the southeast of the province of Lugo and is situated in the region of Quiroga.
The municipalities that make it up are Quiroga, A Pobra do Brollón and Folgoso de O Courel.
The fourth stage of the Winter Way ends precisely in Quiroga. Here pilgrims can take comfort on the banks of the river Sil and enjoy a welcoming village surrounded by the beautiful mountains that make up the UNESCO Xeoparque do Courel, characterised by its important geological value, the implementation of dissemination and geoconservation initiatives, and the socio-economic and cultural promotion of the territory.
It is believed that the Winter Way was an alternative access devised by the Romans, to avoid the climb to the snowy peaks of O Cebreiro. The first Galician village to welcome pilgrims on their way along the French Way of St. James.
The Devesa da Rogueira is the jewel in the crown of O Courel. It is located in the heart of this territory, which curiously fuses Atlantic plant species such as chestnut, oak and holly trees, as well as other species more characteristic of the Mediterranean climate such as olive trees and holm oaks.
It is precisely thanks to the olives from the olive trees that have been cultivated in the area of Quiroga since ancient times that oil of excellent quality is still produced here today.
The wolf and the bear, two animal species that are almost extinct in our country, are gradually making a comeback in the biodiversity of the lands of O Courel.
A Mariña lucense
Lugo’s balcony overlooking the Cantabrian Sea
A Mariña Lucense is the name of the northern territory of the province of Lugo bathed by the Cantabrian Sea.
A Mariña Lucense is made up of three regions: A Mariña Occidental, A Mariña Central and A Mariña Oriental. All of them are linked by the coast, and in which towns with a historic fishing tradition stand out, such as Burela, with one of the most important fishing ports in the Cantabrian Sea, as well as Viveiro, Foz and Ribadeo.
A Mariña lucense also has a large and rich inland territory made up of extensive green meadows, mountains, rivers and estuaries that flow into spectacular beaches protected by enormous cliffs. A clear example is the well-known Fuciño do Porco (Punta Socastro) located at the entrance of the Viveiro estuary in O Vicedo.
A Mariña Lucense has 114 km of coastline. It is home to seventy beaches, 21 of which have been awarded the blue flag. This means that they are beaches that meet a series of optimum environmental conditions and have adequate facilities for the use and bathing of their visitors.
There are many extraordinary blue flag beaches distributed throughout A Mariña lucense, but the most visited is undoubtedly the beach of Las Catedrales.
Our recommendation is to travel around A Mariña Lucense by car. This is a comfortable route with good roads where the views and the small coastal villages will leave you with your mouth wide open. Stops not to be missed: Rinlo (Concello de Ribadeo), Isla Pancha (Municipality de Ribadeo), San Cibrao (Municipality de Cervo), Faro de Roncadoira (Municipality de Xove) and the aforementioned Fuciño do Porco (Municipality de O Vicedo).