Much enjoyment can be gained by wandering through the many streets and squares in Pontevedra. The historic centre is pedestrianised and there are endless cafes offering refreshments at all times of the day, and night. We had visited some of the churches and how it was time to wander.
Some Squares
Teucro Square is named after a hero of the Trojan war who, it was suggested, founded Pontevedra, and many other cities. The aristocracy who built their houses in this square encouraged the myth! The 16th century mansion of the Gago and Montenegro family, with a great coat of arms, is on the left in the picture below, and the 18th century mansion of the Count of Aranda is at the bottom of the square.
In the Middle Ages the Praza de la Lena was known Eirado and held a daily market where vendors sold wood and pine cones for heating and cooking. The square expanded in the 18th century to accommodate two important mansions, but it is still one of the smallest, and most picturesque, squares in the town. In the centre is a crucifix which came from Caldas de Reis. The 18th century Pazo Castro Monteagudo on the edge of the expanded square has extraordinary stone balconies; it was the home of the first auditor of the province. It is now part of the Museum of Pontevedra.
The Pedreira Square is dominated by the Pazo de la Mutargui which is now a government building, rather than a private residence. It is named after the stonemasons who used to work in the square, but in the Middle Ages it was a grass market.
The Praza Mendez Nunez was created when the city expanded in there 13th century, and it is named after Casto Mendez Nunez who lived here in the 19th century.
The Square of the Five Roads has a curious crucifix with large statues of Adam and Eve, and the snake.
The Herreria Square dates from the turn of the 15th century, as the town was expanding. The blacksmiths used to have workshops here, under the arcades.
There are numerous cafes round the square and we visited two of them for supper – very good on both occasions, and slightly earlier than the restaurants, which tend to open at 8.30pm The feast below was salad, chaperones, and croquettas in the Bar Estrella.
And then we indulged ourselves again at a restaurant just off the square!
The Praza de Curros Enriques is another of the Mediaeval squares in Pontevedra, and named after a 19th century Galician poet.
The Praza de Glorieta is a square through which the Portuguese Pilgrim route passes; it is also known as the Children’s Square.
Streets
The old town of Pontevedra is pedestrianised and it was a joy to wander through the streets, just looking and just enjoying the difference from London.
Shops stay open until 10.00pm!
Curiosities in Pontevedra
José Luis Penado of Pontevedra made the sculpture of the Parrot Ravachol which stands in the Praza de Pdelegrina. “It was installed in 2006 in the place where the famous pharmacy of Don Perfecto Feijoo and his parrot Ravachol was located.” The parrot is one of the ‘characters’ of the town![efn_note}https://www.visit-pontevedra.com/en/must-see/historical-center/parrot-ravachol/[/efn_note]
“The Monument to the Tertulia, also known as Círculo Literario del Café Moderno, is a sculptural group created by the sculptor César Lombera, located in the Spanish city of Pontevedra. It is located in the Plaza de San José, in front of the Café Moderno, and was inaugurated on January 13, 2006.”
Wander through the streets and squares of Pontevedra brings interest, pleasure and surprises round almost every corner. The week here was a delight.
restlessjo
It looks like an interesting place xx
Candy Blackham
It is interesting, for all sorts of reasons. There is much which is historically interesting and the town council has concerned itself with the quality of life of the residents to produce a really ‘integrated’ old and new town. The University Hospital looks extraordinary and I am sure provides an excellent service.