The last day in Cambados began slowly with another lovely breakfast, consisting mainly of fruit, and then we set off to explore San Tomé and Cambados itself. To my delight there was a market in full swing, just down the road from the Parador!
The fishing village of San Tomé is quite small, with plenty of fishing boats and pleasure boats in the harbour, and even fish inviting trouble!
It was a beautiful day looking out across the Ria de Arousa.
A small causeway leads from the fishing village to the island of A Figueira with its Tower of San Sadurniño one of many watchtowers whose function was to warn against raids on Santiago by pirates, Vikings, and Normans. (I have tried to trace the route of the watchtowers, gleaned from snippets on the internet.) The tower, with its adjacent chapel, was in good condition until 18C; now only a corner remains.
We sat on the island and just absorbed the peace of the bay, as did the seagull, although he popped into the water for an occasional snack.
Many old mansions in the town suggest a wealthy history. In San Tomé the Pazo de Montesacro, built at the beginning of the 18C, overlooks the harbour and is now a residential home for the elderly. The adjoining Chapel Valvanera was built at the same time.
The Pazo de Ulloa is in Cambados itself and was built by the first Count of Monterrey in 1517. He also owned the Castle of Monterrey, where he added a Tower.
The Pazo de Bazán dates from 17C and was converted to a Parador in 1960s. The writer Emilia Pardo Bazán is a descendant of the Pastor who built the mansion.
Horreos are everywhere. These above-ground storage systems are common in Galicia.
The Cross of San Margarida (an old photograph) in the fishing village, and today.
Vineyards of Albariño grapes are both inside and outside Cambados.
The church of San Francisco (late 15C) was a Franciscan Convent until 1835 when the State took over the buildings and the monks were forced to leave. The Abbey buildings were converted to a barracks, then a school, and finally demolished, with the stones being used to build a wide boulevard, the A Calzada Path, linking the church with the village of Fefinañs. It is now the parish church, instead of the ruined church of Santa Mariña. (Photograph of path.)
It was a memorable day in Cambados because of all these wonderful sights , but also because it was All Saints’ Day.
You may be interested in
Cambados and its history
Photographs & history of Cambados (in Spanish)
The Castle of Monterrey – interesting blog by an expat
The Castle of Monterrey
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