Hot Springs Resort Laias. Church

About this heritage

The Laias Hot Springs Resort is in the parish of Cenlle in the Ourense Province, and it is one of the most significant thermal facilities of Galicia. Built-in 2001, it sits in a traditional hot springs area since the Roman era.

With a flow of approximately 430 liters per minute, its waters emerge from the ground at more than 50 degrees. This water of medium mineralization makes it recommended for diseases related to bones and skin, using them for baths, jets, or even for inhalation. Its composition is of medium mineralization, as mentioned before, but also fluorinated, lithiated, and bicarbonate.

Laias also stands out for its ancient parish church, dedicated to Saint Baia (Olaia or Eulalia). Built in the eleventh century, it still preserves some remains of its Romanesque origins. Modified several times over the centuries, it ceased to function as a parish church in 1971 since it was affected by the reservoir, at which time, the mass celebrations moved to another more modern church, located next to the main road. Nowadays, its doors open for weddings and, on July 11, to celebrate the Saint Bieito procession.

Close to Laias is Razamonde town. Here, we should not miss the Romanesque church of Saint María of Razamonde, a must-visit place accessible by hiking the trail that links the two towns.

To learn more

The Resorts’ location is no accident as these hot springs have existed since Roman times, or even before, and have been highly appreciated and used both for medicinal purposes and for mere entertainment.

Throughout medieval times, Laias was a regular visitation site for kings and bishops, who gradually spread the springs' popularity far beyond the Galician borders. Therefore, it became a famous vacation spot for many families, especially from the eighteenth century on, making a significant impact on the revenue of the area's economy since these visitors stayed in private homes and commonly repeated the experience on the following several years.

The Laias' mineral-medicinal waters emanate from the interior of the Earth at a temperature of 50.2˚C with an approximate flow of 430 liters per minute. They are waters of medium mineralization, bicarbonate, fluorinated, sulfurous, and lithiated, particularly suitable for baths, jets, or even inhalations. Its effects are healthy, especially for diseases related to rheumatism and skin issues.

Many bathtubs, pools, and service huts were constructed throughout the years, but it was not until the 50s that the first hot springs resort was born, as such, and later destroyed by the reservoir. In 1971, it a more advanced resort replaced the old one, which included rooms, a cafeteria, and bathing facilities, among others. In 2000, this facility closed, opening its doors to the modern building that we can enjoy today.

Affected by the construction of the reservoir, this 11th-century parish church closed, and since then, its doors only open on special occasions, such as weddings or the San Bieito procession in July. On the church's façade, we can read the inscription "Sacred Refuge:" a privilege granted in the Middle Ages to a few churches, allowing them the power to shelter even thieves, murderers, and debtors, preventing anyone to take any action against them while remaining inside the temple.

To know it better

Cenlle is a municipality in the Ourense Province in the Ribeiro County. It sits between the Miño and Avia rivers, and constitutes ten parishes: Barbantes, Cenlle, Esposende, Laias, Osmo, Pena, Razamonde, Sadurnín, Trasariz, and Vilar de Rei.

If we travel to the parish of Laias, or Santa Baia de Laias, on the banks of the Miño River, we find points of interest, such as the hot springs resort and the Laias church.

The hot springs resort, also known as "Thermal Laias Vila" of the Caldaria chain, is one of the most significant in Galicia. Its construction dates back to 2001, and it is said to be a balcony overlooking the Minho River. The history of its waters dates back to Roman times. Visitors have highly valued these hot springs since they are recommended for medicinal use. These waters emanate from the interior of the Earth at a temperature of 50.2˚C. These springs are of medium mineralization, bicarbonate, fluorinated, sulfurous, and lithiated, and therefore, providing health effects for diseases related to rheumatism and skin issues.

Many bathtubs, pools, and service huts were constructed throughout the years, but it was not until the 50s that the first hot springs resort was born, as such, and later destroyed by the reservoir. In 1971, a more advanced replaced the old one. In 2000, this facility closed, opening its doors in 2001 to the modern building that we can enjoy today.

Laias also stands out for its ancient parish church, dedicated to Saint Baia (Olaia or Eulalia). Built in the eleventh century, it still preserves some remains of its Romanesque origins. Modified several times over the centuries, it ceased to function as a parish church in 1971. Nowadays, its doors open for weddings and, on July 11, to celebrate the Saint Bieito procession, and on the church's façade, we can still appreciate the inscription "Sacred Refuge."