Illustrated Ribadeo

“If there is a moment in this town’s history that left a strong mark on our Historic Center, it is the period between the 17th and 19th centuries.

From an economic standpoint, the town was closely linked to the Atlantic economy and the Indies trade routes, thanks especially to the export of timber to Seville and Lisbon.

Ribadeo’s strong connection to the sea has always been evident, and one clear sign of the town’s prosperity was its demographic growth, with the population doubling. Merchants brought in wine, spirits, iron, and textiles such as linen and hemp. These maritime routes became a driving force for development, not only for the town but also for the surrounding rural areas, creating a symbiosis between the networks of goods coming in and going out. It was, therefore, a land of seafarers, but also of sailors.

The 18th century marked one of the most important periods for the port. From the Baltic, linen and hemp arrived directly to supply the looms across the region. The importation of these textile fibers became so significant that King Charles III established in the town the Royal Linen Factory (Casa-Fábrica de Lienzos).

As a result of this economic growth, many merchants settled here, gradually transforming the town’s appearance with the construction of new residences that housed an emerging, economically powerful social class tied to maritime trade.

Today, those manor houses in the old town can be recognized by their ‘Gurugús’ — glass lookout towers built atop rooftops. These elevated balconies were not only symbols of social prestige but also offered privileged views of the port and the estuary.”**