It isn’t difficult to find place names for almost
all the origins and villages in this region, as well
as the monumental and artistic remains that
they left us. The culture of the pre-Roman
settlements is represented by the impressive
dolmens scattered around the area. There are
important Latin monuments such as the Roman
camp of Aquis Querquernis, visible and open for
visits when the level of the waters of the
reservoir of As Conchas goes down. But there
are installations open all year round which
clearly explain the process of Romanisation, by
force of arms and words, of this outpost of the
Roman Empire. The church of Santa Comba de
Bande, a famous example of the Visigoth
architectural style, is also close by. For examples
of baroque architecture, the town of Entrimo
offers the magnificent façade of the church of
Santa María la Real. In every corner, folk
constructions like the mills, alvarizas, chivanas
(shepherds’ shelters in the mountain),
canastros in the Galician of the region and
espigueiros in Portuguese (raised granaries),
fountains, crosses, roads and walls whose stone
structures are examples of the profound and
rich folk creativity.
On the Portuguese slope, the most important
point of folk pilgrimage is the shrine of A
Peneda and its famous waterfall, especially
impressive in the rainy season, in the district of
Melgaço. Possible access routes go from the
Miño side or crossing the raia from Entrimo,
and also from the interesting hill-fort of
Laboreiro.