Catoira. Towers and Viking pilgrimage

About this heritage

Catoira is a town located in the province of Pontevedra, more specifically in the Arousa estuary. Its location is privileged as it is very close to Vilagarcía, Santiago, and Pontevedra.

Geographically it is located at the Ulla river´s mouth. Its lands have been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the existence of petroglyphs from the Bronze Age and Castros (Galician traditional and military fortress), in the place where today you can see its famous towers built by order of Alfonso III, which served as the defensive shield of Galicia since the middle ages and until the reign of the Catholic Kings.

Access to the west towers is on foot, via a path that runs at the foot of the Ulla´s bridge or via a second -older- path, that crosses a marshy terrain flooded by the estuary´s waters. In these towers the famous Vikings pilgrimage is celebrated, which we will talk about later.

Catoira is also known for having three types of traditional mills. Wind-mills, Tidal-mills and Water-mills. You can also enjoy in this village different trekking routes such as the “Catoira River Route”, the “San Cibrián Rego Route” and the “River Walk Route”.

Walking along this routes we will go through a good part of Catoira, we will get to know its landscape, flora, fauna and its abundant heritage. Like the “Pedras Miúdas” lagoon, in the place of Outeiro da Vila, a lagoon formed on an old quarry now converted into a Natural Space of Local Interest.

To learn more

Catoria is also one of the municipalities which participates in the “Jacobean Route of Arousa´s sea and the Ulla river”. From the “Jacobean Route´s Viewpoint” located on Av. Mirador da Ría, a good part of the only existing “Maritime Way of the Cross” can be seen.

The Jacobean Route of Arousa´s sea and the Ulla river, reminds us of the arrival of Santiago Apostle´s body to our shores. This fluvial route crosses 22 municipalities belonging to the province of Pontevedra and A Coruña that, in addition, are members of the Patronage “Jacobean Route Foundation of Arousa´s sea and Ulla”.

The Viking pilgrimage of Catoira is one of the most famous celebrations in Galicia. It dates back to 1960 when an event was held for the first time to commemorate the Viking´s landing who arrived in Galicia in the 11th and 10th centuries with the intention of plundering our lands. In 1988 it was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, and in 2002 it obtained the distinction of Festival of International Tourist Interest.

The Viking pilgrimage is held in the West Towers (mentioned above), on the Ulla river´s banks. These towers are one of the most important archaeological sites in Galicia.

Catoira´s tourist offer and also the whole Rías Baixas area of Galicia is very extensive. You can enjoy our gastronomy with fresh seafood or its endless beaches of fine sand and crystalline waters awarded in many cases with a blue flag. Innumerable samples of archaeological sites and a great monumental tourist offer await all visitor who wish to spend a few days in Galicia.

To know it better

Catoira is a Galician municipality located in the Arousa estuary, in the province of Pontevedra. Its privileged location has witnessed different stories that have become a part of this town´s life.

In the City Council, the “Torres del Oeste” (West Towers) stand out, nowadays declared as a National Monument. This is an old fortress from the 9th century that was built to prevent Vikings attacks in Catoira and to protect Santiago de Compostela. Today, these towers can be seen while crossing the Catoria´s bridge. This bridge links the Viking town with Rianxo, although many doubts have raised about its functionality.

Catoira is a municipality full of forests, trees, marshes and river beaches. It also has windmills, known as “Abalo”. This mills are located at the top of the mountain and are unique in Europe due to the double blade system.