History, Fortress and Thermal Waters in the Heart of Ribeira Sacra

In the heart of Castrillo de los Polvazares, next to Pedro Botas Roldán Street, is the emblematic Fountain on the Jerga River. This spring, integrated into the landscape of this historic Maragata village, has been for centuries a meeting and supply point for its neighbors and pilgrims. Its strategic location and its environment of traditional stone architecture give it a unique charm. Surrounded by silence and nature, the fountain preserves the flavor of the authentic, being a silent witness of the history of the village. A serene corner where memory flows to the rhythm of the water.

The old town of Castro Caldelas, declared a historic-artistic site in 1998, retains its medieval charm in its cobbled streets such as Calle del Sol and Calle Grande. These streets wind their way up towards the castle of the Counts of Lemos, flanked by stone houses with galleries and coats of arms. Vicente Risco lived in one of them. The area known as Cima de Vila preserves the atmosphere of yesteryear. From its hill overlooking the river Edo, the village shows an intact medieval splendor, with the Clock Tower, the Tower of Homage and the parade ground in excellent condition.

Raised on a promontory, the castle of Castro Caldelas dominates the lands of Caldelas, an ancient crossroads of Roman roads. Its origin dates back to a pre-Roman castro and was a Roman camp because of its proximity to the Via XVIII. Pedro Fernández de Castro built the fortress in the 14th century, and it was the scene of the Irmandiña Revolt. Rebuilt as a palace in 1560, it passed to the House of Alba in 1777. Today it houses a library, museum and exhibition hall, being a cultural reference of the region. It was ceded in usufruct by the dukes to the municipality in the 1990s.

Located in a privileged enclave, this small church of the XVI century rises over a beautiful valley from where fabulous views of Castro Caldelas are contemplated. Although small in size, its structure responds to the aesthetic canons of the Renaissance, both in its forms and ornamentation. It has been recently rebuilt, preserving its original essence. Currently, the City Council has planned its conversion into a Museum of Sacred Art, which will bring a new cultural and heritage value to the historic center of the town. A temple with history that is reborn with new life.