Old Town La Guardia
About this heritage
The old town of A Guarda is a reflection of the maritime past and present, characterized by its traditional houses and narrow streets. On a simple walk, you can observe the tasks, boats, and gear of the sailors and the sale of fish and seafood at the fish market. It is arranged around the fishing port and features buildings such as the Convent of San Benito or the Benedictines from 1558, linked from its beginnings to the nobility and transformed into a hotel in the 20th century. Sections of the medieval wall are preserved on Muro and Ireia streets. In the clock square is the Town Hall building and the old Clock Tower, a medieval bastion that protected the access to the town, and a few meters away is the church of Santa María. On the descent to the port via Concepción Arenal street is the Plaza de Abastos, a unique, bright, and spacious building designed by the architect from A Guarda, Constantino Candeira. Here, every morning except Sunday, fresh products of guaranteed quality can be obtained, being one of the main driving elements of the town's commercial activity. The visit can be combined by reaching the Museo del Mar located at the end of the promenade. Around the area, examples of Indian houses from the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries can be seen. These constructions were made by returned emigrants who, after prospering and becoming wealthy in areas such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil, returned and became local leaders.
To learn more
The old town of A Guarda is arranged around the fishing port and features buildings such as the Convent of San Benito or the Benedictines from 1558, linked from its beginnings to the nobility. Founded in the 16th century by the Ozores de Sotomayor family. The church, small and deteriorated, was rebuilt in the 17th century and remains dedicated to religious worship. On the lateral baroque-style portal are the family coats of arms of the Order of San Benito. The nuns left the convent in 1983 and after renovation, the convent was converted into a hotel, restaurant, and café. Sections of the medieval wall are preserved on Muro and Ireia streets. In the clock square is the Town Hall building and the old Clock Tower, a medieval bastion that protected the access to the town, and a few meters away is the church of Santa María. On the descent to the port via Concepción Arenal street is the Plaza de Abastos where fresh products of guaranteed quality can be obtained every morning except Sunday. Around the area, examples of Indian houses from the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries can be seen. These constructions were made by returned emigrants who, after prospering and becoming wealthy in areas such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil, returned and became local leaders. Indian houses are characterized by the use of stonework, tile, and wrought iron. They are striking houses that adopted structures typical of the American continent, giving them a unique personality. Also notable is the type of vegetation in the gardens, such as palm trees and exotic species from the other continent. Twelve outstanding buildings of this style were selected to create a simple route of less than an hour that begins on Puerto Rico street where several examples of Indian houses are preserved and continues through the historic center ending on Galicia street. On Rosalía de Castro street is the best example of Indian construction. Built in 1921 thanks to the collaboration of emigrants from A Guarda and intended as the Casa-Asilo Hospital. After the 1990 renovation, it became the current Cultural Center. It houses the Municipal Library, exhibition rooms, and an auditorium.
To know it better
A Guarda is a municipality located in the southwest of Galicia and is connected to our neighboring country Portugal by the natural border of the Miño river. Like all places with history and a past, A Guarda has an old area, the old town. Here, we find traditional houses, narrow streets, and stone and cobblestone floors. The Plaza del Reló is one of the most prominent in this municipality. Traditionally, it was called Plaza Mayor and, after the 16th century, it hosted other names such as Plaza de la Constitución, Plaza de la República, and Plaza de España. In this space is the Clock Tower, which was built next to the old medieval wall and the current Casa del Concello, which is one of the buildings that most attracts visitors. Also part of the old town is Plaza de San Marcos, which housed until the 19th century a hospital that cared for the poor as well as pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago. Currently, this building has become the Justice of the Peace and is also very close to Colón street, which was the street dividing the city when it was walled.
Gallery
Location
- Town
- La Guardia
- Municipality
- A Guarda
- Province
- Pontevedra
- Country
- Spain
The asset
- Type
- Bridge
- Eco-destination
- Ría de Vigo
- Environment
- Urban
- Relevance
- National
How to get there
- Access
- By land
- Distance
- 9 minutos caminando / 5 minutos en coche
The visit
- Visitable
- Yes
- Accessible
- Sí
- Parking
- Sí
Coordinates
- Latitud
- 41.90226600
- Longitud
- -8.87748000