Fortress of Monterreal in Baiona

The Fortress of Monterreal in Baiona stands on a rocky promontory, Monte Boi, and it is also known as the Gondomar Castle and Ox Hill Fortress, apparently. The promontory juts out into the bay and in the past has been occupied by Phoenicians, Romans, and Celts. ‘Gondomar’ – doesn’t that remind you of Tolkien? Today The Parador Conde de Gondomar is a wonderful luxury hotel inside the walls.

The Fortress of Monterreal

The walls of the Fortress

The walls of the Fortress are 3kms in total, all crenellated. There is a lovely walk around the outside of the Fortress, at sea level, with beautiful views and it is particularly wonderful in the evening. The walls, built between the 11C and 17C, tower over you all the way round, as the light fades. The Cies Islands in the distance were the site of a major sea battle in the 16C. They looked interesting from the Paseo.

Paseo around Fortress of Monterreal — View out to sea from the Paseo

Fortress of Monterreal — Cross along the Paseo

Walls of the Fortress with the Parador in the background

Paseo around Monterreal and Cies Islands — Looking towards the Cies Islands

Fortress of Monterreal walls — The Fortress walls

Harbour of Baiona — Parador overlooking the harbour

Clock Tower and Philip IV Gate into the Fortress

Towers of the Fortress

There are three significant towers in the Fortress of Monterreal. The Tower of the Clock is near the main entrance, and the Philip IV Gate. A bell in the tower was rang to warn of enemy attack. The Torre de Tenaza overlooks the harbour with the purpose of defending the port. On the opposite side of the promontory the Tower of the Prince, the oldest tower, guards the entrance to the Bay. It is named after a Portuguese King, Alfonso Henriques, who was imprisoned in the tower in 1137.

Torre de la Tenazain the Fortress of Monterreal — Torre de la Tenaza

Gates into the Fortress

I found three gates into the fortress and apparently there used to be four. The main gate or Philip IV gate is 16C and leads down to the Barbeira beach. The Sun Gate is the second gate and stands under the Clock Tower. But there is also the Puerta Real which I believe leads into the Fortress.