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City in Galicia, Spain
Photo: Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lmbuga), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pontevedra is a city in Galicia in northwest Spain, with a population of 83,000 in 2024. Its old town has a fine collection of 16th - 18th century churches, and stands on the Portuguese branch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago. Its name derives from pontem veteram, "old bridge", the Roman structure that was the first to span the river.
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Church of the Pilgrim Virgin
Built 1778-1792 in a mix of Baroque and Neo-classical, its floor plan is modeled on a scallop, and its font is a Pacific Tridacna clam. It's become a city symbol and is a way station on the Portuguese pilgrimage route to Santiago.
This is Edificio Castelao, the museum's main building, exhibiting the heritage of Galicia from prehistory through to 20th century Galician art.
16th century mansion which in 1918 was let to the Dorothean nuns, who created a convent and school. One of the postulant nuns was Sister Lúcia (1907-2005) who as a child in Fátima had seen recurrent visions of the Virgin Mary. In her convent cell here in 1925 she again had a vision, where Mary prescribed various religious observances. Her third vision was in Tuy in 1929, and this time Mary commanded the consecration of Russia. Lúcia's later life was in Coimbra. Fátima became a major pilgrimage destination, and to a smaller extent so did Pontevedra. There's a main chapel, and a smaller one in her cell.
Gothic cathedral completed in 1559.
Bustling tapas bar with good food.
Great dining at this out-of-town Michelin-starred restaurant.
Cosy welcoming small hotel in old town centre.
Inexpensive, comfortable and central.
Simple friendly place on the pilgrimage route.
Clean friendly place near the railway and bus stations.
Clean and central.
Comfy central place.
Smart hotel 1 km south of centre.
Simple clean place, grumpy reception.
Simple hotel, often caters for pilgrims.
Spacious apartments.
Right in the historic district, this is a restored baronial palace. Small rooms with period furniture and creaky wooden floors are part of the charm.
By train
Two trains a day run from Madrid Chamartin, taking 3 hr 40 min via Zamora, Ourense and Vilagarcia, and continue to Vigo Urzaiz. Other connections are available changing at Ourense or Santiago.
By road
AP-9 is the motorway transecting Galicia, from Ferrol on the north coast through A Coruña, Santiago, Pontevedra and Vigo to Tui on the border with Portugal. There it becomes A3 and continues to Porto.
Walk, the old centre is compact and many streets are traffic-restricted.
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Vigo · Regional · VGO
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