Pontevedra. Old Town

About this heritage

The historical centre of Pontevedra is one of the most emblematic places of the city due to its monuments and its urban complex formed by emblazoned noble houses, arcades and squares. The transformation of what was the old town of Pontevedra into the historic centre of today has received the National Award for Galician Culture from the Xunta de Galicia in 2008. In addition, in 2006 it received the Cidade de Pedra Award from the Asociación de Graniteiros (Granite-worker association) thanks to the use of stone made by the Council of Pontevedra in this transformation.

Some of the most important squares in the historic centre are Plaza de España, Plaza de Teucro, Plaza de Curros Enríquez, Plaza de Méndez Núñez, Plaza de la Verdura, Plaza de la Leña, Plaza de la Ferrería, Plaza de A Pedreira and Plaza de la Peregrina. In this last square is the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Peregrina (Virgin of the pilgrim), built by Antonio de Souto with the collaboration of Bernardo José de Mier, and built in 1778. It is of late baroque style with neoclassical elements. Other buildings in the historic centre include the Basilica of Santa María A Maior, the Convent of San Francisco, the Mercado de Abastos (local market), the Museum of Pontevedra, the Tourist National Parador, the City Hall, the Alameda (boulevard), A Moureira district and the Plaza de Toros (Bull ring).

To learn more

The historical centre of Pontevedra is one of the best preserved in Galicia and was declared a historic-artistic site in 1951. It is almost completely pedestrianised and is full of bars, cafes and shops. Behind the historical centre of Santiago de Compostela, it is the second most important in Galicia. The Portuguese Way of Saint James runs through it.

On a tour of this area of the city, the Plaza de España stands out, it is one of the main squares where the Town Hall is located. Very close to it is the Basilica of Santa María, which dates from the 16th century and whose construction was financed by the "mareantes" guild, the oldest seafarers' guild in Spain. Another of the most important squares in the historic centre is the Plaza de O Teucro, named after the city's Greek founder. In this square there are several baroque pazos (traditional manor houses) such as Gago, Montenegro, the one of Conde de San Román e Pita. Other squares that are part of this historic centre are Curros Enriquez and Mendez Nunez. Other of the squares retain the name of their traditional commercial vocation as the Plaza de la Verdura (Vegetables market) and the Plaza de la Leña (Firewood market). In the latter you will find granite houses, arcades, galleries and a traditional stone cross in the centre. Another of the squares is the Plaza de A Ferrería, so called because of the forges that once existed in the arcades of the square. Next to this square is the convent of San Francisco in late Gothic style. Next to the convent is the church of La Peregrina (the pilgrim) built in 1778. Finally, the square of A Pedreira where you can find the baroque pazo of Mugartegui and the headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the Rías Baixas Denomination of Origin, which is next to the food market.

To know it better

Pontevedra is situated in the northwest of the peninsula and is an administrative, monumental, tourist and service provider city. A city of art and history which has a monumental area that, after Santiago de Compostela, is the most important in Galicia.

The transformation from the old town to the historical centre began in Pontevedra in 1999 with the decision to pedestrianize the whole area. In one of its highest points, we find the Basilica of Santa Maria A Maior. Already in the narrow streets, we can walk along the Praza das Cinco Rúas towards the Praza de O Teucro. Its name is taken from the Greek founder of the city and in this place we can contemplate several baroque pazos (traditional manor houses).

The Principal Theatre of Pontevedra, the City Hall, and later, the Alameda Park, the Ruins of Santo Domingo and the Provincial Council of Pontevedra make up other points of interest in the historic centre of Pontevedra. Along Oliva Street, the city centre is located up to the Pilgrim's Square where the famous church in honour of the Virgin that bears her name is located.