Sleeping in a hydroelectric plant in the Ribeira Sacra
It was the year 1914 when it began in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra to the construction of a hydroelectric power station to feed the residents of this Galician treasure hidden between Lugo and Ourense. Today there is no machinery left inside, but the baptized as A Light Factory to the beat of a vibrant canteen, a cute hostel and an environment erected as one of the must of the Ourense riverside.
It was at the beginning of the last century, specifically between the years 1914-1916, when the canal was built " A canle vella ” to channel the water coming from the mao river and unload it in this central that would become a whole technological, social and architectural landmark of the area.
Road to the Light Factory
It was a company called The Galician the one he built. Later becoming the property of Unión Fenosa, what was then known as La Fábrica supplied electricity to Monforte for a century, as well as to the capital of Ourense itself, in addition to the rest of the towns in this part of the Ribeira Sacra. Falling into disuse after the construction of the "canle nova" , the pipeline that today discharges directly into the Sil, in 2011 at the initiative of the City Hall of Parada del Sil It was decided to recover this Industrial Heritage to turn it into a privileged place of leisure and training.
Just one year before its centenary, the old hydroelectric infrastructure, converted into a multipurpose space signed by the landscape architect Isabel Aguirre, winner of the Manuel de Dehesa National Architecture Prize in 1997 . The recovery of this testimony of industrial culture gave rise to a hostel, a canteen and an exhibition hall which is still in operation today under the exploitation of the company Sacred Tempo.
A Light Factory Hostel
SLEEP IN THE FACTORY
Paying homage to and respecting the past, the A Fábrica da Luz hostel is located in nothing less than the space that in the past was used as the home of those in charge of the maintenance of the hydroelectric plant . With capacity for 32 people, the hostel is structured in a simple way, offering two blocks with bunk beds and, for those seeking more privacy, two double private rooms . A shared bathroom and a charming private room located on the top floor of the central unit complete the facilities of this stone hostel with diaphanous interiors.
In addition, if you go in summer, the possibility of doing a Bivouac in a Treetent , this is the experience of sleeping in the forest in a tent hung in the trees . In a neighboring natural space that could well have some meigas, some tents with capacity for three people will delight those who want to enjoy the fresh air, the starry sky of Ourense and with luck, the visit of some of the animals in the area.
CANTEEN FOOD
With the lamb as the jewel in the crown of the house, A Fábrica da Luz has a dedicated space to provide a canteen service to both hostel guests and visitors who come to enjoy the wonderful surroundings of the mao river canyon.
Tentsile in Ourense
Here commands the typical gastronomy of the area: wine, honey, jams, cheeses, sausages, bica, empanadas, chestnuts, mushrooms … betting on a zero kilometer season menu cooked in the tower of the Old Hydroelectric Power Plant , that is, where the transformers were located. Although they have an inside dining room, the magic of their terrace born under century-old chestnut trees thanks to vintage furniture will make you never want to leave.
The perfect origin for the hiking trails in the area
A PERFECT STARTING POINT
But since you find yourself in this magnificent area where the sound of the river in the background is the only distraction, follow its vibrations, because behind the hostel awaits one the most beloved points of interest in the region: the mao river footbridge . Also erected by Aguirre , this wooden architectural jewel is a comfortable walk of one kilometer through the heights between wild flora and a river with stones and waterfalls that invites you to disconnect completely. Following its ramps, its stairs and its viewpoints to the end also has a prize , and not only because of the incredible views, but because at the end awaits the mouth in the Sil River , where there is a small natural beach where you can take a bath.
Archeology lovers can also walk to the neighboring necropolis of San Vito de Barxacova to discover the anthropomorphic tombs dating from between the 9th and 10th centuries and wine lovers approach the terraces that die in the neighboring river Sil to see why this area is known as ' heroic viticulture ’. In fact, we are surrounded by nature, so whoever wants to get rid of the vehicle for a few days can discover all this magic through the two hiking trails that start from the Fábrica da Luz.
both circular, that of the Mao River Canyon, 16.5 km. , allows you to discover the aforementioned necropolis before getting lost among the fields of grass and crops that surround the Sil canyon, where the viewpoint The Balconies of Madrid It is one of the most valued in the area. Wine lovers may opt more for the one also approved by the FEDME Teixeira Route , with views of the Mao, Sil and Edo river canyons and stops in the Cristosende, Portela and A Teixeira vineyard areas.
Design, wide spaces and an example of converted architecture
Address: Barxacova s/n, 32741 Parada de Sil, Ourense See map
Half price: 36 euros/bunk. Treetent from 50 euros.