Turismo de Galicia

The A Terra Chá geodestination holds some of the most important historical and artistic remains in Galicia.

These include the castro de Viladonga hillfort, one of the most extensively excavated and home to a large museum. This is just one example of the rich heritage to be found in this part of Galicia.

We can highlight religious architecture, such as the 12th century Romanesque church of Sta María de Abadín, which houses a 16th century Gothic chancel. In Begonte there is the 12th century igrexa parroquial de Santiago de Baamonde and the church of Santalla de Pena. In Guitiriz you can find the church of Sto Estevo de Parga and the 13th century capela de Sto Alberte which is adorned with an 18th century facade and also has a nearby bridge and fountain. In Muras there is the ermida de Sto Antonio da Xestosa and the capela de Sta Cruz de Seilán.

There are numerous fortresses, including examples such as the keep at the castelo dos Andrade in Vilalba and the ruins of the Torre de Caldaloba in Cospeito.

As this is a land where water flows freely, many bridges were built to cross the rivers, such as the ponte romana de Duarría and the ponte gótica in Santo Estevo de Parga (Guitiriz).

Museums in this geodestination cover different subjects and periods. The Museo arqueolóxico do Castro de Viladonga in Castro de Rei accompanies the Castro de Viladonga hillfort. In Vilalba the Museo de prehistoria e arqueoloxía also focuses on prehistory whilst in Bretoña (A Pastoriza) the Museo pedagóxico-etnográfico Villapol teaches us about aspects of the local people and culture.

In the Parga-Ladra-Támoga protected area, which spans the municipalities of Abadín, Begonte, Castro de Rei, Cospeito, Guitiriz, and Vilalba, lies Cospeito lagoon which houses bird observatories.

The Serra do Xistral, mountain range, where wild horses roam, takes its name from the cold, wet winds, known as xistra in Galician, which sweep over its peaks in Abadín, Muras, and Vilalba. The Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve, exemplifies the ecological riches in this area. The Reserve’s recreation and river areas allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery the river crosses through in Abadín, Begonte, Castro de Rei, Cospeito, Guitiriz, Muras, A Pastoriza, and Vilalba.

Five short hiking trails reveal the great variety of landscapes in A Terra Chá, several of which are great for nature, such as the PR-G 152 Ruta dos Muíños in Abadín, PR-G 151 Ruta das Lagoas in Cospeito, PR-G 99 Ruta da auga de Guitiriz in Guitiriz and PR-G 153 Augas de Fonmiñá in A Pastoriza. Another one in Castro de Rei, the PR-G-154 Ruta do Azúmara has interesting archaeological and historical sights.

This is the home of Queixo de San Simón da Costa, which is made in every area of the geodestination, and where the famous Capon de Vilalba chickens are raised.

The officially recognised Galician Festivities that you can get involved in over the year in A Terra Chá include the Galician culture Festival de Pardiñas in Guitiriz, the Belén electrónico in Begonte, the Festa do Poldro in Muras and the Festa da Filloa de Muimenta in Cospeito.