Turismo de Galicia

A monument converted for hotel use stands out: The Convent of Aciveiro, at the top of the Serra do Candán. The convent was begun in the year 1135 and follows the Cistercian structure.

There are also seven other local distinguished monuments worthy of mention that have been declared Heritage Elements of Cultural Interest: the Churches of San Salvador and Santa María de Vila de Cruces, Santiago de Tabeirós in A Estrada, Santa María de Abades and San Pedro de Ansemil in Silleda, as well as the rock engravings of San Xoán de Tuiriz in Vila de Cruces and those of the Pena da Carballeira in Agolada.

Both there and in other parts of the geodestination one can note a clear presence of the new signature cuisines, but this is unable to unseat traditional cuisine, with pork dominating to north, south, east and west and, most especially, during Carnival, with an ancient festival that is celebrated in high style.

Curiously, there are some alvarizas still standing; these circular structures were built to protect beehives from the bears' gluttony. Bears were abundant in Galicia in the past, but now are glimpsed only in the lands of eastern Lugo.

Inland mountain. In autumn and winter fog and beautiful, icy landscapes. The Brañas de Xestoso, high up, are first protected nature reserve. The Serra do Candán is the second and – further west – the Sobreirais of the River Arnego, a watercourse that supplies the Portodemouros reservoir on the border between the provinces of A Coruña, Lugo and Pontevedra.
  
In Lalín, the Fraga de Catasós has been declared a Natural Monument. This is an indigenous forest that is not well-known and – for that very reason – of much greater value as it is in excellent condition.

In the north, the Ulla-Deza river system among meadows and large manor houses, and to the west, Mount Faro – with a hermitage perched high atop – complete the list of Nature 2000 Network areas.
  

The Festa do Gaiteiro de Soutelo (Soutelo Piper´s Festival), in Forcarei, is also very popular and has been declared a Galician Tourist Festival. Not far away, in Vila de Cruces, the Festa do Galo de Curral is considered a Galician Tourist Event, while in A Estrada, another important date declared to be an International Tourist Event has become a centre of attraction: the Rapa das Bestas de Sabucedo, the ancient struggle between men and wild horses.

In August, it's the village of Bandeira that attracts attention with its Festa da Empanada which has been taking place since 1974. Pork shoulder is honoured as it should be in Silleda. Honey and different cheeses round out the gastronomic map, the first in Codeseda and the second in Vinseiro and Callobre.

The River Toxa features a nearly vertical twenty-five-metre Waterfall, carving the rock in the midst of a vast forest of oaks and chestnut trees. This impressive site can be reached by lovely paths with the Southeastern Way to Santiago and also by the Monastery of Carboeiro and the beautiful Gothic hermitage of San Pedro de Ansemil. 

The monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro lies on the River Deza and is almost hidden in the dense forest. The monastery is considered a jewel of Galician Romanesque Gothic and was ordered built in 936 by Gonzalo and Teresa, Count and Countess of Deza.