San Estevo de Ribas de Minho is one of the many Romanesque churches in the Ribeira Sacra, and just outside Chantada. We visited in 2019 for the first time and the camera seemed to behave better on that occasion!
Read more: San Estevo de Ribas de MinhoSan Estevo de Ribas de Minho
The first records of this church are from the 12th century, and apparently there was also a Benedictine monastery nearby.1 On this occasion the gates to the church were firmly locked so we weren’t able to approach close to the building. And this meant we couldn’t see the carvings above the west door…2
The majority of the churches are locked, which is understandable, because they are so isolated. We heard about the 12th century church of Santa Maria de Nogueira while we were in Chantada. It was going to be open between 5.00-6.00pm on a particular day, but it was just too far away, which was a pity. Might San Estevo have had similar wall paintings at one point?
A little walk
The church is on a very steep hillside overlooking the Minho River and because it was so firmly closed, we went for a little walk amongst the trees around the church.
San Estevo de Ribas de Minho is worth visiting, even if the church is locked shut, because of its spectacular setting.
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