Heritage
A Journey Through the History and Culture of Ribadeo
Ribadeo preserves a rich and diverse heritage that reflects its evolution over the centuries. From prehistoric remains and archaeological sites to traditional, civil, and religious architecture, every element speaks of the region’s history, culture, and way of life.
Each structure, landscape, and trace of the past helps us better understand Ribadeo’s identity and its role in the north of Galicia.
Archaeological Heritage
Ethnographic Heritage
Civil Heritage
Paleolithic Sites of Louselas (Vilaselán)
One of the most important Paleolithic sites on the Cantabrian coast, dating back to around 300,000 BC. It reveals the first traces of human presence in Ribadeo. Over 300 stone tools—including scrapers, bifaces, and cleavers—have been found here, mainly used for working animal hides.
Some of these artifacts are preserved in the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology in Vilalba.
Neolithic Mounds of Rego de Mel (Remourelle)
A group of three Neolithic burial mounds, dated between 6,000 and 3,000 BC, located in the scenic area of Pena do Gato. These ancient funerary structures, built with earth and stone, housed collective burials and dolmens within.
Petroglyphs of “As Fádegas – The Enchanted Footprints”
A set of prehistoric rock carvings from around 3,000 BC, featuring podomorphic shapes (footprints) and cup marks, found in Cubelas. These are among the earliest examples of rock art in the A Mariña region and are officially recognized as a cultural asset.
The Castros
Castros are ancient pre-Roman fortified settlements, typically built on elevated or hard-to-reach terrain, and protected by walls, ditches, and embankments.
Ribadeo boasts one of the most significant concentrations of castros in the region, including both coastal and inland sites that showcase the diversity and richness of Galicia’s castro culture.
- Castro das Grovas (Vilaselán): A large coastal site (2.5 ha) where the Ribadeo Diadem was discovered—a gold jewel considered one of the finest examples of castro-era goldsmithing.
- Castro de Fornelo (Piñeira): Located on an isthmus, very close to the previous site. Features several ditches and a defensive embankment over 5 meters high.
- Castro de Meirengos (A Devesa): An irregularly shaped coastal settlement adapted to the terrain. It preserves several defensive ditches and a perimeter wall.
- Castro de As Cárcovas (Ove): A hillside castro with excellent views, surrounded by the ditches that gave it its name. It features several defensive structures and embankments.
- Castro de A Pumarega (As Anzas): Located in the parish of Santalla, it features concentric defenses and visible remains of circular dwellings.
- Castro de A Torre (Vilausende): The largest castro in the municipality (5.5 ha) and possibly the oldest, dating back to the Late Bronze Age. Positioned on a hilltop.
- Castro de A Aira da Croa (Arante): A small castro (0.4 ha) on the slope of Monte da Rebolada. It preserves a raised embankment and a surrounding ditch.
- Castro at Os Castros Beach (A Devesa): A coastal site with remains of Roman pottery, coins, and burial fragments. Naturally defended to the north and west by cliffs.
O Cargadoiro Ethnographic Park
Located in a scenic spot overlooking the estuary, the O Cargadoiro Ethnographic Park preserves the remains of a former ore loading dock—an outstanding example of Ribadeo’s industrial past. This structure allowed iron to be transferred directly from train wagons to ships, avoiding the need to enter the estuary and dealing with the tides.
The dock was part of a mining-railway complex inaugurated in 1903 by the Vilaodrid Mining Company, under the direction of engineer Julio Lazúrtegui. The railway, spanning over 30 kilometers, connected A Pontenova with Ribadeo’s Estrecho Port, enabling efficient maritime export.
From 1927 onwards, the line also served passengers until its closure in 1966. Today, this restored site invites visitors to discover the region’s mining and transportation history, blending industrial memory with natural beauty.
Hórreos (Traditional Granaries)
Icons of Galician rural architecture, hórreos were designed to protect grain from moisture and rodents. In Ribadeo, both stone and wooden examples can be found—each representing a unique piece of the local landscape and culture.
Mills
Mills are a key part of Galicia’s rural heritage, and Ribadeo preserves outstanding examples that showcase how natural forces were used for everyday tasks like grinding grain. The region’s terrain allows for different types: river mills, windmills, and tidal mills.
Among the most notable is the As Aceñas Mill, located in the cove of the same name in the parish of Ove. This ancient tidal mill, estimated to be 500–600 years old, includes a containment wall and a main building that harnessed tidal movement to generate power.
Another highlight is the San Pedro Field Mill in Rinlo parish. With a rectangular layout, it features masonry walls, a pitched roof, and traditional elements such as curved tiles and a lintelled doorway.
These mills not only illustrate the ingenuity of popular architecture but also reflect how communities adapted to their environment to ensure their survival.
Fountains
For centuries, public fountains were central to daily life in Ribadeo. They provided water for households and served as meeting places for conversation and community life. Today, many are preserved as elements of ethnographic heritage and remain integrated into both urban and rural landscapes.
Ribadeo is home to over 120 fountains, each with unique architectural and functional characteristics—from the most modest to more ornamental examples.
- San Xillao Fountain (Vilaframil): A stone spout fountain beside the Xulián stream, channeling water from a spring to a carved basin.
- Fountain of the Four Spouts (Fernando el Santo): Built in 1849 in Ribadeo’s town center. Circular base with a central column topped with a pinnacle, from which four spouts flow.
- Campo del Cristo Fountain (Rinlo): A spring fountain dug into the ground and used communally. Water flows through a slanted stone pipe.
- Dompiñor Fountain (Piñeira): Set along the Tacós stream, this stonework fountain blends harmoniously with its natural surroundings.
- Fontecavada (Ribadeo): Located on the street of the same name, it’s one of the traditional fountains still preserved in the town center.
Washhouses
These public spaces were where women gathered to wash clothes, talk, and share social life. Usually located near rivers or fountains, some of Ribadeo’s washhouses still preserve their original structures—offering a glimpse into the community’s everyday past.
Heraldic Houses
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, many noble families in Ribadeo adorned their homes with coats of arms representing their lineage and social standing. These heraldic symbols not only identified the families who lived there but also became distinctive elements of local architecture.
Some coats of arms feature easily recognizable motifs: the eagle of the Aguiar family, the scallop shells of the Lamas de Quintalonga, the “M” of the Montenegro family, the five maidens with a scallop of the Miranda lineage, or the tower surrounded by waves of the Presno family.
In some cases, the shields were accompanied by inscriptions or family mottos, such as the well-known phrase: “El solar de Valledor eres antiguo y de gran valor” (“Valledor, your house is ancient and of great worth”).
Merchants’ Houses
The boom of the linen trade in the 17th century turned Ribadeo into one of the most active ports on the Cantabrian coast. This prosperity attracted local and foreign merchants who, beyond boosting the economy, also transformed the town’s appearance by building grand manor houses.
Many of these homes still stand in the historic center. They are characterized by their large volumes and the distinctive gurugús—glassed-in rooftop viewpoints used to spot incoming ships.
Two of the most notable examples are Casa de Arriba and Casa de Abajo, linked to key figures in Ribadeo’s commercial history. The former belonged to Antonio Casas, a Galician businessman involved in Baltic trade, who established his shipping company and bank here until its collapse in 1933. The latter was owned by Francisco Antonio de Bengoechea, a Basque shipowner and political rival, who also founded his own fleet and left a significant economic legacy after his death in 1900.
These homes are lasting witnesses to Ribadeo’s mercantile heyday and the families who built their lives through commerce.
Indiano Houses
From the mid-19th to mid-20th century, many residents of Ribadeo emigrated to the Americas in search of a better life. While some never returned and others came back with little, a few returned successful—and chose to leave a lasting mark on their hometown.
One of the most visible signs of this success was the construction of large, eclectic, and eye-catching houses known as casas indianas. In addition to showcasing their new social status, many indianos also supported local development by funding schools, fountains, cemeteries, roads, lighting, and water systems.
Ribadeo preserves a remarkable Indiano legacy, with over 27 such homes, as well as public facilities like the Pedro Murias Agricultural School and the town market. These constructions not only enriched the townscape but also left a deep imprint on Ribadeo’s history.
Farmsteads (Caseríos)
Many of the rural estates still standing in Ribadeo originated from the caseríos established after the Madoz land disentailment in the mid-19th century. These family-run farms were designed to ensure self-sufficiency and sustain the household.
Their structure followed a well-defined model:
- The house served multiple purposes: family dwelling, workshop, and cattle shelter.
- Farmland included vegetable gardens, hay meadows, and grazing pastures for both family and livestock use.
- The eira or palleiro contained auxiliary buildings such as hórreos (granaries), wine cellars, or wells, and was the main area for agricultural tasks—especially those related to wheat cultivation.
- Larger fields were used for growing cereals like wheat or corn.
- The woodland was essential for the system’s balance, providing firewood, fodder, and raw materials, and acting as a reserve in hard times.
Manor Houses (Pazos)
Pazos are stately homes associated with Galicia’s rural nobility, built between the 15th and 19th centuries. Ribadeo preserves notable examples that combine defensive features, religious elements, and agricultural space.
Pazo de Cedofeita
Built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries by Lope García de Cedofeita, this rectangular building features two floors, a corner tower, and a smaller attached turret. The family coat of arms is still visible on the main façade, carved in wood. The estate includes a hórreo, a circular dovecote, a mill, a rococo-style chapel with a single-bell gable, gardens, farmland, and a walled enclosure.
Pazo de Quinta Longa (Vilausende)
This manor retains much of its original structure: a gated courtyard, granite-pillared gallery, and slate roof. On its eastern wall, an oval stone coat of arms bears the emblems of the Montenegro and Luaces families. The ensemble also includes a hexagonal dovecote, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate, and a surrounding wall.
Religious Heritage
El Fuerte de San Damián
Convent of Santa Clara
Founded as a beguinage in the 11th century and converted into a convent in 1366, Santa Clara is one of Ribadeo’s oldest religious complexes. It suffered a fire in 1544 and was occupied by Napoleonic troops in 1809, leading to the loss of part of its archive.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the community held extensive properties and incomes. The current building retains its original layout, with a single-nave church, an 18th-century cloister, a monastic kitchen, and a tower topped with a belfry.
Above the entrance, the inscription Haec est domus paupertatis (“this is the house of poverty”) stands as a symbol of the Poor Clares’ vow of simplicity.
Church of Santa María del Campo
Originally a Franciscan convent, it was transformed into a parish church in 1835. Over time, it underwent several modifications: in 1905 the original belfry was replaced by the current bell tower, a portico was added, and the wooden vault was substituted with a ribbed one.
Some elements of the original convent remain, including the floor plan, the presbytery arch, and various structural features.
Highlights include a 14th-century Gothic portal, a central nave with a plain vaulted ceiling, and several side chapels. Inside, visitors can find Romanesque arches, 18th-century Baroque altarpieces, and coats of arms belonging to Ribadeo’s noble families.
Chapel of the Trinity (Atalaya)
Built in the 12th century by order of King Ferdinand II, this is one of the oldest churches in Ribadeo. It stands on a promontory overlooking the estuary and the port of Porcillán—once a beacon point where sailors were guided with torches, giving rise to the name Atalaya (Watchtower).
In addition to serving as a place of worship, it was also used for guild meetings and open councils. Two cannons beside it recall its former defensive role.
The chapel features a 14th-century Gothic door with zigzag motifs, a single nave, and three altarpieces, the most notable of which is a Baroque piece dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Above the entrance is Ribadeo’s coat of arms and a single-arched belfry.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Virtues
Located in A Ponte (Arante), along the Northern Way of St. James, this sanctuary is one of the most venerated in the region due to the devotion to its miraculous Virgin. It was built in the late 14th century and later restored.
The temple features a single nave, pitched roof, pointed arch, and both Renaissance and Baroque altarpieces. One of its most unique treasures is a painted ex-voto depicting the miraculous rescue of the ship Santa Catalina in 1595, credited to the Virgin’s intercession.
Its late medieval frescoes stand out, with biblical scenes, allegorical figures such as the Living Death, and Marian imagery.
Every year at the end of May, it hosts the popular Pilgrimage of the Crosses (romería de las Cruces), during which residents from different parishes carry banners in remembrance of the local victory over Napoleonic troops.
El Fuerte de San Damián
Construido en 1624 para proteger la ría y los astilleros de Ribadeo frente a ataques marítimos, el Fuerte de San Damián es el principal ejemplo de arquitectura militar del municipio. Fue destruido por los ingleses en 1719, reconstruido en 1743 y ampliado en 1762. Durante la Guerra de la Independencia fue desmantelado y usado temporalmente como hospital militar.
Adquirido por el Ayuntamiento en 1965 por el precio simbólico de una peseta, fue restaurado en 1990. Hoy funciona como sala de exposiciones y mirador privilegiado sobre la ría y el litoral ribadense.
A Journey Through the History and Culture of Ribadeo
Ribadeo preserves a rich and diverse heritage that reflects its evolution over the centuries. From prehistoric remains and archaeological sites to traditional, civil, and religious architecture, every element speaks of the region’s history, culture, and way of life.
Each structure, landscape, and trace of the past helps us better understand Ribadeo’s identity and its role in the north of Galicia.
Archaeological Heritage
Paleolithic Sites of Louselas (Vilaselán)
One of the most important Paleolithic sites on the Cantabrian coast, dating back to around 300,000 BC. It reveals the first traces of human presence in Ribadeo. Over 300 stone tools—including scrapers, bifaces, and cleavers—have been found here, mainly used for working animal hides.
Some of these artifacts are preserved in the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology in Vilalba.
Neolithic Mounds of Rego de Mel (Remourelle)
A group of three Neolithic burial mounds, dated between 6,000 and 3,000 BC, located in the scenic area of Pena do Gato. These ancient funerary structures, built with earth and stone, housed collective burials and dolmens within.
Petroglyphs of “As Fádegas – The Enchanted Footprints”
A set of prehistoric rock carvings from around 3,000 BC, featuring podomorphic shapes (footprints) and cup marks, found in Cubelas. These are among the earliest examples of rock art in the A Mariña region and are officially recognized as a cultural asset.
The Castros
Castros are ancient pre-Roman fortified settlements, typically built on elevated or hard-to-reach terrain, and protected by walls, ditches, and embankments.
Ribadeo boasts one of the most significant concentrations of castros in the region, including both coastal and inland sites that showcase the diversity and richness of Galicia’s castro culture.
- Castro das Grovas (Vilaselán): A large coastal site (2.5 ha) where the Ribadeo Diadem was discovered—a gold jewel considered one of the finest examples of castro-era goldsmithing.
- Castro de Fornelo (Piñeira): Located on an isthmus, very close to the previous site. Features several ditches and a defensive embankment over 5 meters high.
- Castro de Meirengos (A Devesa): An irregularly shaped coastal settlement adapted to the terrain. It preserves several defensive ditches and a perimeter wall.
- Castro de As Cárcovas (Ove): A hillside castro with excellent views, surrounded by the ditches that gave it its name. It features several defensive structures and embankments.
- Castro de A Pumarega (As Anzas): Located in the parish of Santalla, it features concentric defenses and visible remains of circular dwellings.
- Castro de A Torre (Vilausende): The largest castro in the municipality (5.5 ha) and possibly the oldest, dating back to the Late Bronze Age. Positioned on a hilltop.
- Castro de A Aira da Croa (Arante): A small castro (0.4 ha) on the slope of Monte da Rebolada. It preserves a raised embankment and a surrounding ditch.
- Castro at Os Castros Beach (A Devesa): A coastal site with remains of Roman pottery, coins, and burial fragments. Naturally defended to the north and west by cliffs.
Ethnographic Heritage
O Cargadoiro Ethnographic Park
Located in a scenic spot overlooking the estuary, the O Cargadoiro Ethnographic Park preserves the remains of a former ore loading dock—an outstanding example of Ribadeo’s industrial past. This structure allowed iron to be transferred directly from train wagons to ships, avoiding the need to enter the estuary and dealing with the tides.
The dock was part of a mining-railway complex inaugurated in 1903 by the Vilaodrid Mining Company, under the direction of engineer Julio Lazúrtegui. The railway, spanning over 30 kilometers, connected A Pontenova with Ribadeo’s Estrecho Port, enabling efficient maritime export.
From 1927 onwards, the line also served passengers until its closure in 1966. Today, this restored site invites visitors to discover the region’s mining and transportation history, blending industrial memory with natural beauty.
Hórreos (Traditional Granaries)
Icons of Galician rural architecture, hórreos were designed to protect grain from moisture and rodents. In Ribadeo, both stone and wooden examples can be found—each representing a unique piece of the local landscape and culture.
Mills
Mills are a key part of Galicia’s rural heritage, and Ribadeo preserves outstanding examples that showcase how natural forces were used for everyday tasks like grinding grain. The region’s terrain allows for different types: river mills, windmills, and tidal mills.
Among the most notable is the As Aceñas Mill, located in the cove of the same name in the parish of Ove. This ancient tidal mill, estimated to be 500–600 years old, includes a containment wall and a main building that harnessed tidal movement to generate power.
Another highlight is the San Pedro Field Mill in Rinlo parish. With a rectangular layout, it features masonry walls, a pitched roof, and traditional elements such as curved tiles and a lintelled doorway.
These mills not only illustrate the ingenuity of popular architecture but also reflect how communities adapted to their environment to ensure their survival.
Fountains
For centuries, public fountains were central to daily life in Ribadeo. They provided water for households and served as meeting places for conversation and community life. Today, many are preserved as elements of ethnographic heritage and remain integrated into both urban and rural landscapes.
Ribadeo is home to over 120 fountains, each with unique architectural and functional characteristics—from the most modest to more ornamental examples.
- San Xillao Fountain (Vilaframil): A stone spout fountain beside the Xulián stream, channeling water from a spring to a carved basin.
- Fountain of the Four Spouts (Fernando el Santo): Built in 1849 in Ribadeo’s town center. Circular base with a central column topped with a pinnacle, from which four spouts flow.
- Campo del Cristo Fountain (Rinlo): A spring fountain dug into the ground and used communally. Water flows through a slanted stone pipe.
- Dompiñor Fountain (Piñeira): Set along the Tacós stream, this stonework fountain blends harmoniously with its natural surroundings.
- Fontecavada (Ribadeo): Located on the street of the same name, it’s one of the traditional fountains still preserved in the town center.
Washhouses
These public spaces were where women gathered to wash clothes, talk, and share social life. Usually located near rivers or fountains, some of Ribadeo’s washhouses still preserve their original structures—offering a glimpse into the community’s everyday past.
Civil Heritage
Heraldic Houses
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, many noble families in Ribadeo adorned their homes with coats of arms representing their lineage and social standing. These heraldic symbols not only identified the families who lived there but also became distinctive elements of local architecture.
Some coats of arms feature easily recognizable motifs: the eagle of the Aguiar family, the scallop shells of the Lamas de Quintalonga, the “M” of the Montenegro family, the five maidens with a scallop of the Miranda lineage, or the tower surrounded by waves of the Presno family.
In some cases, the shields were accompanied by inscriptions or family mottos, such as the well-known phrase: “El solar de Valledor eres antiguo y de gran valor” (“Valledor, your house is ancient and of great worth”).
Merchants’ Houses
The boom of the linen trade in the 17th century turned Ribadeo into one of the most active ports on the Cantabrian coast. This prosperity attracted local and foreign merchants who, beyond boosting the economy, also transformed the town’s appearance by building grand manor houses.
Many of these homes still stand in the historic center. They are characterized by their large volumes and the distinctive gurugús—glassed-in rooftop viewpoints used to spot incoming ships.
Two of the most notable examples are Casa de Arriba and Casa de Abajo, linked to key figures in Ribadeo’s commercial history. The former belonged to Antonio Casas, a Galician businessman involved in Baltic trade, who established his shipping company and bank here until its collapse in 1933. The latter was owned by Francisco Antonio de Bengoechea, a Basque shipowner and political rival, who also founded his own fleet and left a significant economic legacy after his death in 1900.
These homes are lasting witnesses to Ribadeo’s mercantile heyday and the families who built their lives through commerce.
Indiano Houses
From the mid-19th to mid-20th century, many residents of Ribadeo emigrated to the Americas in search of a better life. While some never returned and others came back with little, a few returned successful—and chose to leave a lasting mark on their hometown.
One of the most visible signs of this success was the construction of large, eclectic, and eye-catching houses known as casas indianas. In addition to showcasing their new social status, many indianos also supported local development by funding schools, fountains, cemeteries, roads, lighting, and water systems.
Ribadeo preserves a remarkable Indiano legacy, with over 27 such homes, as well as public facilities like the Pedro Murias Agricultural School and the town market. These constructions not only enriched the townscape but also left a deep imprint on Ribadeo’s history.
Farmsteads (Caseríos)
Many of the rural estates still standing in Ribadeo originated from the caseríos established after the Madoz land disentailment in the mid-19th century. These family-run farms were designed to ensure self-sufficiency and sustain the household.
Their structure followed a well-defined model:
- The house served multiple purposes: family dwelling, workshop, and cattle shelter.
- Farmland included vegetable gardens, hay meadows, and grazing pastures for both family and livestock use.
- The eira or palleiro contained auxiliary buildings such as hórreos (granaries), wine cellars, or wells, and was the main area for agricultural tasks—especially those related to wheat cultivation.
- Larger fields were used for growing cereals like wheat or corn.
- The woodland was essential for the system’s balance, providing firewood, fodder, and raw materials, and acting as a reserve in hard times.
Manor Houses (Pazos)
Pazos are stately homes associated with Galicia’s rural nobility, built between the 15th and 19th centuries. Ribadeo preserves notable examples that combine defensive features, religious elements, and agricultural space.
Pazo de Cedofeita
Built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries by Lope García de Cedofeita, this rectangular building features two floors, a corner tower, and a smaller attached turret. The family coat of arms is still visible on the main façade, carved in wood. The estate includes a hórreo, a circular dovecote, a mill, a rococo-style chapel with a single-bell gable, gardens, farmland, and a walled enclosure.
Pazo de Quinta Longa (Vilausende)
This manor retains much of its original structure: a gated courtyard, granite-pillared gallery, and slate roof. On its eastern wall, an oval stone coat of arms bears the emblems of the Montenegro and Luaces families. The ensemble also includes a hexagonal dovecote, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate, and a surrounding wall.
Religious Heritage
Convent of Santa Clara
Founded as a beguinage in the 11th century and converted into a convent in 1366, Santa Clara is one of Ribadeo’s oldest religious complexes. It suffered a fire in 1544 and was occupied by Napoleonic troops in 1809, leading to the loss of part of its archive.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the community held extensive properties and incomes. The current building retains its original layout, with a single-nave church, an 18th-century cloister, a monastic kitchen, and a tower topped with a belfry.
Above the entrance, the inscription Haec est domus paupertatis (“this is the house of poverty”) stands as a symbol of the Poor Clares’ vow of simplicity.
Church of Santa María del Campo
Originally a Franciscan convent, it was transformed into a parish church in 1835. Over time, it underwent several modifications: in 1905 the original belfry was replaced by the current bell tower, a portico was added, and the wooden vault was substituted with a ribbed one.
Some elements of the original convent remain, including the floor plan, the presbytery arch, and various structural features.
Highlights include a 14th-century Gothic portal, a central nave with a plain vaulted ceiling, and several side chapels. Inside, visitors can find Romanesque arches, 18th-century Baroque altarpieces, and coats of arms belonging to Ribadeo’s noble families.
Chapel of the Trinity (Atalaya)
Built in the 12th century by order of King Ferdinand II, this is one of the oldest churches in Ribadeo. It stands on a promontory overlooking the estuary and the port of Porcillán—once a beacon point where sailors were guided with torches, giving rise to the name Atalaya (Watchtower).
In addition to serving as a place of worship, it was also used for guild meetings and open councils. Two cannons beside it recall its former defensive role.
The chapel features a 14th-century Gothic door with zigzag motifs, a single nave, and three altarpieces, the most notable of which is a Baroque piece dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Above the entrance is Ribadeo’s coat of arms and a single-arched belfry.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Virtues
Located in A Ponte (Arante), along the Northern Way of St. James, this sanctuary is one of the most venerated in the region due to the devotion to its miraculous Virgin. It was built in the late 14th century and later restored.
The temple features a single nave, pitched roof, pointed arch, and both Renaissance and Baroque altarpieces. One of its most unique treasures is a painted ex-voto depicting the miraculous rescue of the ship Santa Catalina in 1595, credited to the Virgin’s intercession.
Its late medieval frescoes stand out, with biblical scenes, allegorical figures such as the Living Death, and Marian imagery.
Every year at the end of May, it hosts the popular Pilgrimage of the Crosses (romería de las Cruces), during which residents from different parishes carry banners in remembrance of the local victory over Napoleonic troops.
El Fuerte de San Damián
El Fuerte de San Damián
Construido en 1624 para proteger la ría y los astilleros de Ribadeo frente a ataques marítimos, el Fuerte de San Damián es el principal ejemplo de arquitectura militar del municipio. Fue destruido por los ingleses en 1719, reconstruido en 1743 y ampliado en 1762. Durante la Guerra de la Independencia fue desmantelado y usado temporalmente como hospital militar.
Adquirido por el Ayuntamiento en 1965 por el precio simbólico de una peseta, fue restaurado en 1990. Hoy funciona como sala de exposiciones y mirador privilegiado sobre la ría y el litoral ribadense.