Ourense Capital City

It's either something in the water or there is an unseen force that links Galicia with the NW corner of France, Ireland and Scotland.

The similarity not only lies in the landscape, it also manifests itself in the character of the people and in terms of the cultural building blocks. From witchcraft to bagpipes, the resemblance is uncanny.

Ourense is no different. For this is the ancient city of Auria, a city nestling on the banks of the Rio Miño and surrounded by ancient hills carved from granite. Ourense basks in its own confidence.

The Romans were attracted here by the presence of gold deposits and they left behind a rich legacy, evidence of their engineering genius and entrepreneurial spirit (a skill that was developed, of course, by a flagrant abuse of human rights).

The roman bridge (now closed to traffic) across the river dates from this period and has been sympathetically preserved to highlight its original splendour. A couple of hundred meters downstream a new bridge; sweeping curves and a celebration of imagination, is designed to focus on the genius of the contemporary generation of Ourensian architects.

Ourense’s microclimate means that there is abundant water available, something that ensure year-round verdant vegetation within and surrounding the city although in summer it can get quite hot with temperatures reaching close to those of cities further south.

Although the outskirts of Ourense is built up with high-rise blocks of flats designed to cater for an expanding and increasingly independent population, the historic centre retains a charm all of its own. The splendid cathedral, which was founded in 572 and reconstructed in the XIII century, is constructed from the local granite that makes it sparkle in the sunshine, and built between the 12th and 13th centuries, boasts original gothic portals and sumptuous internal decoration.

There are many museums to satisfy even the most inquisitive and plenty of open green spaces to enjoy the benign climate.

All of these features, together with wonderful restaurants offering Galician cuisine such as pulpo Gallego (octopus in a rich sauce) and roasted kid or 'cachucha' de porco (pig's head) makes Ourense a great place to visit for leisure or for business. Although, given the variety of gastronomic delights on offer within the city limites, the motto of any visit should surely be, don't talk - eat.

More information: http://www.turismourense.com/

Routes and Places worth a Visit

Ourense has three main divisions: the medieval zone, the area of industrial revolution expansion and the outer periphery.

The Roman spa was one of the features that attracted the romans here. Supposedly the waters in this part of the world are soft and have certain curative features. The baths are open for visiting and provide a glimpse of ancient life in the city.

Important Fiestas

21st February is carnival time, the carnival of O Entroido. A colourful procession is followed by the burning of the ‘Madamitas’

3rd May, ‘Os Maios’, traditional May festival that highlights a competition of decorated wooden sculptures.

June is time for the Fiestas Mayores.