Heritage
History & surroundings
A thousand years of history fit into a short walk. From the houses, the monastery, the medieval town and the Celtic hillforts are all just a step away — and the whole region invites you to keep exploring.
Cloister of the Monastery of San Salvador, founded in the year 936
Tower of Vilanova dos Infantes, from the 10th century
Celanova
The Monastery of San Salvador was founded by San Rosendo in the year 936, on land belonging to his brother, Count Froila Gutiérrez. Over time it came to oversee more than eighty dependent abbeys, becoming one of Galicia's most important monastic complexes. Its church, with a Latin-cross floor plan and three naves, was completed in 1653 under master builder Melchor de Velasco. Next to the cloister sits the small Chapel of San Miguel, one of the best-preserved Mozarabic buildings on the entire Iberian Peninsula.
After the 19th-century disentailment the building stood empty, until a restoration — awarded the Europa Nostra prize — brought it back to life: today it houses the town hall, the library, a secondary school and the tourist office. The cloister and church can be visited for a symbolic €2, and the Chapel of San Miguel alone is worth the stop. All of it two minutes' walk from the houses.
Vilanova dos Infantes
A few minutes from Celanova, this parish keeps an almost intact medieval layout around its tower, built in the 10th century over the remains of an old hillfort. It first belonged to the monks of Celanova and later to various noble houses, and was one of Galicia's great strongholds: it suffered the attack of the Irmandiña revolt in 1467, was partially destroyed, and was rebuilt shortly after.
In the early 19th century the tower came to house the local town hall, and since 2000 it has held a small interpretation centre for the As Terras de Celanova region. Nineteen metres of stone, centuries-old granaries around it, and streets that still follow a layout laid down centuries ago: a short stop that deserves rather more than a quick photo.
The region and beyond
What to see and do
From the houses, everything else is close by: hillforts, rivers, reservoirs, hot springs and some of Galicia's most singular corners.
Castro de Castromao
Two kilometres from Celanova, a Celtic hillfort settlement occupied from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, with wide views over the Arnoia river valley.
Lobios Hot Springs
In the Baixa Limia, thermal waters beside the Caldo river within the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Nature Park. Ideal for a restful afternoon.
Encoro das Conchas Reservoir
A large reservoir between Bande and Muíños with river beaches, kayaking and, when the water level allows, the remains of a Roman spa.
Ribeira Sacra & Cañón do Sil
Canyons up to 500 metres deep and more than forty monasteries, among them San Pedro de Rocas, linked to Celanova since the 10th century.
Arnoia River
Waymarked routes along the river, old water mills and natural pools for a swim during the warmer months.
Local gastronomy
Galician-style octopus, Ribeira Sacra wine and seasonal chestnuts. Discover it in detail →