Harvest in the Ribeira Sacra
In the heart of Galicia, on the border between the south of Lugo and the north of Ourense, nature wanted to create poetry of contrasts. he got that the Miño embraced the Sil and formed canyons of dramatic beauty . Amidst this river duel, dense forests, centuries-old monasteries, terraced vineyards and, above all, legends abound. Touring the Ribeira Sacra is discovering the most unknown and mysterious Galicia , enter a kingdom that for centuries belonged almost exclusively to monks and hermits. As you will soon see, they did not lack taste.
1. KNOW WHY IT IS CALLED RIBEIRA SACRA
You won't get to know for sure because historians don't agree, but you can discuss it in the heat of a good local wine with any of its inhabitants . For some, Ribeira comes from its status as an area between rivers, a riverbank, and Sacra from its extremely high accumulation of monasteries. The Latin term would be Rivoira Sacrata.
For others, the origin would be their abundant oak forests and Ribeira would come from the term Rovoyra, which would refer to its extensive oak groves. As you will see, it is debatable because both the forests and the monasteries are a path constant.
Where do you come from, 'Ribeira Sacra'?
two. IT IS A DESTINATION TO DISCOVER
Although tourism is no longer alien to the area and its excellent wines have created a pilgrimage of dedicated travelers, the Ribeira has many pleasures to discover. You can still be a pioneer when it comes to praising the benefits of this land of legends. Get ahead of the trend hunters.
3. VILLAGES YOU SHOULD NOT MISS
If you want your route to be complete, do not forget to visit: Quiroga, Castro Caldelas, A Teixeira, Monforte de Lemos, Carballedo, Chantada, O Saviñao and Portomarín . For the rest, let yourself be carried away by the appetite of the moment.
Portomarin
Four. THE THREE CLOISTER OF THE MONASTERY OF SANTO ESTEVO
Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance , for every taste. Enjoy the spectacular stonework of one of the most beautiful Romanesque monasteries in Spain whose origins could date back to the 6th and 7th centuries. To complete the experience, you should know that **the architectural ensemble is today a charming Parador** where you can enjoy equal parts mysticism and aesthetics, starting with the palate.
San Estevo one of the most valued inns in Spain
5. EIGHTEEN MONASTERIES TO VISIT
If you have a spirit of recollection and you like the peace that monasteries give off, you are in luck. It is clear that here medieval Romanesque art did not pass by . You have so much variety that it will cost you to see them all on your first visit. Do not miss the Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, Santa María de Ferreira de Pantón, or the mysterious monastery of San Pedro de las Rocas.
6. THE ELBOWS OF BELESAR
It is an old Roman road that winds through forests of oak and chestnut trees and starts in the town of Belesar, a perfect example of impeccable architectural character full of stone houses adorned by cozy galleries. At the Club Náutico pier you can enjoy a catamaran tour through the canyons of the area until you reach Peares, the town of the three rivers. The river circuits through the canyons of the Miño and del Sil are an essential pleasure.
The strength of the Miño and Sil creates impressive landscapes
7. THE CALDEIRADAS OF O GRELO, IN MONFORTE DE LEMOS
The capital of Ribeira has a lot to offer, but once you've kicked it to your heart's content and leisurely, treat yourself to ** O Grelo and try its exquisite monkfish or cod caldeiradas.** The wine list is a tribute down to earth, but his house wine, Don Bernardino is not far behind.
8. TAKE A SELFIE AT THE CABEZOÁS VIEWPOINT
You will have the best panoramic view of the twisted Sil River and you will be able to boast of an "incomparable setting".
9. WALK BETWEEN SOCALCOS
Create a sensory route between socalcos, which is what they call here the terraced vineyards that grace the sunny rims of the canyons . The aroma of the vine, the silence of the land and the changing colors of the mountains will open our senses to fully discover the most avant-garde wines of Galicia.
The socalcos of the Ribeira Sacra
10. KNOW THE D.O. SACRED RIVER
You enter the kingdom of the elegant Mencía, of the aromatic Godello and clean Albariño, and you arrive at a good time, because Ribeira wines rub shoulders unapologetically with other international relatives in the best bars in New York. It is not in vain that this area has a wine-growing tradition of more than 2,000 years. Today, the avant-garde of its wineries and the quality of its offerings have made it a fashionable D.O among the most sybarite followers of Bacchus.
eleven. VISIT THE ABBÍA DA COVA WINERY
Since 1958 the Moure family has been making the most of the clay soil of the sacred terraces of their vineyards. That is why his creations with Mencía have earned him more than 150 international awards, and critic Robert Parker awards 90 points to some of their bottles. If you like wine tourism routes, you will love touring the winery, discovering the magical alchemy of its pomace in its modern distillery and taking a walk through the impressive landscapes that surround it. You will see the mythical O Cabo do Mundo meander, with the Sernande Island , the most sought after photo of the route.
the perfect warehouse
12. DISCOVER THE SAN BENITO FOUNTAIN
According to legend, its water is able to cure warts , but if you don't have, the walk between lush forests where it seems that at any moment a meiga is going to appear to you, it will be just as appetizing, the same as the magical corner where the fountain flows. Put some clean air in your lungs.
13. CONTEMPORARY ART IN THE PALACE OF SOBER
A good excuse to book a couple of nights in this sumptuous Pazo converted into a luxury hotel. Enjoy its thermal tour where there is no lack of wine-based treatments, enjoy yourself in its artistic rooms and remember that the 8th century Tower gives it the title of being the oldest civil building in Galicia.
An essential thermal tour
14. EAT IN O CASTELO
A must if you visit the Wineries Algueira and you want to close the chapter with the best taste in your mouth. Local and organic cuisine that pairs perfectly with the Mencías from the winery. Don't miss their ribeye, their wine-flavoured shank stew with pilonga chestnuts and their delicious stewed free-range rooster.
fifteen. DO A DETOX THERAPY IN THE FARMHOUSE DA CASTIÑEIRA
If you are one of those who believes that we are what we eat and are familiar or want to be with concepts such as orthomolecular nutrition, book your stay at the Farmhouse da Castiñeira and begin to free yourself from toxins and other evils that lie in wait for your cells. In this beautiful stone house, health comes first. For this they have a 100% vegan cuisine and with a wide range of detoxifying therapies.
Veganism and 100% nature
The Ribeira Sacra, a beautiful Galician gift