Ourense

As Burgas

It is impossible to visit Ourense and not try its thermal waters that originate from underground aquifers more than a kilometre deep. The ancient Romans had already realised the importance for health of these waters that flow at a temperature of 60º – 65º C.

Among the city’s most famous ‘three springs’ are the ‘Burga de Arriba’, the monumental fountain known as the ‘Burga de Abaixo’ and the central esplanade where the thermal pool is located. The oldest fountain is the ‘Burga de Arriba’, which dates back to the 17th century, while the ‘Burga de Abajo’ dates back to the 19th century and was built in neoclassical style with two lateral mouths and a baptismal font in the centre.

Along the Miño River, there is also a ‘thermal path‘ that stretches for about four kilometres. Here, surrounded by greenery, there are up to seven thermal baths, many of which are equipped for bathing, so it is possible to alternate between relaxing and bathing in the midst of nature in both winter and summer.

Plaza Mayor

Piazza Mayor is the centre of the city and the site of the Casa Consistorial (the Town Hall) and the Archaeological Museum, now housed in Pazo do Bispo, the Bishop’s Palace. This area with its still medieval atmosphere allows all visitors to take a real trip back in time. Here there are many historical buildings and arcades housing bars, restaurants and shops. The Plaza Mayor is also the place where events, festivals and other celebrations are organised.

A flight of steps also leads from the square to the Church of Santa María Madre, another of the city’s must-sees. Other buildings worth a mention include the Fermín García house, which was designed by Vázquez Gulías and is a beautiful example of modernist architecture in Ourense.

Cathedral of Ourense

The Cathedral of San Martiño is a church built in the 13th century that has been restored several times. On the outside is the Portico of Paradise, also dating from the 13th century and apparently inspired by the Portico of Glory in the Cathedral of Santiago.

The north portal, originally in Romanesque style, has several Gothic additions. In particular, in the tympanum below the cross, the Virgin holding the body of Christ is depicted, while on the left is the miracle of St Martin donating his cloak.

Inside, the church boasts a Latin cross plan, with three naves and a transept with a dome in the centre. The Main Chapel houses a large altarpiece from 1520 in which scenes of the Virgin Mary and Jesus were painted.

Museo Arqueolóxico de Ourense

The Archaeological Museum is located right next to the Town Hall and is housed in what was once known as the Bishop’s Palace. The palace was originally built in the 12th century but has undergone several renovations and extensions over the centuries and is now an excellent combination of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern elements.

Its façade, a Romanesque patio with Baroque elements, is the result of an 18th-century restoration. Inside, there is an archaeology section, which houses objects and works of art from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, and an area reserved for the fine arts.

Church of Santa María Madre

From the Plaza Maior square, it is possible to reach the church of Santa María Madre, which was renovated in the 19th century, but its origins date back to the 11th century. In fact, the city cathedral was erected here in 1084 during the Swabian domination in place of an earlier religious building.

The church now presents itself in Baroque style, with a façade that has managed to preserve part of the 6th-century columns. The interior houses a 16th-century wooden altarpiece depicting Santa María Madre, the patron saint of the tailors’ guild.

Plazuela de la Madalena

Plazuela de la Madalena owes its original shape to the fact that in the beginning it was most probably a space intended to be a cloister. Its name derives from the presence years ago of a chapel owned by the Count of Amarante that was dedicated to Mary Magdalene. The chapel was unfortunately destroyed, as was the cloister.

In the centre of the Piazza is now a granite column on top of which is a cross with the figures of Christ and the Virgin of Sorrows. An important detail of the Piazza certainly lies in the particular rounded stone that was used in the paving. This stone was found in large quantities in the territory of Ourense and was also used in the paving of other streets and squares in the city.

Palace of Oca-Valledares

The Palace of the Oca-Valladares family is considered one of the most important Gothic-Renaissance palaces in Galicia. Its construction began in 1552 by Álvarez de Oca and Deza and was completed in 1583. The Renaissance building has two floors and the façade features a balcony adorned with the coats of arms of the most important Galician families. From the 19th century onwards, the palace was abandoned and became first an inn for muleteers and then the headquarters of the Recreo Lyceum, an old cultural society of the city.

Church of St. Euphemia

The Church of St. Euphemia was built between the 17th and 18th centuries and is now the second largest church in the city. Its façade, designed by Fray Plácido Iglesias, is a perfect combination of Baroque and Galician art styles. Inside, the building has a Latin cross plan, three naves and an 18th century Baroque altar with the image of Cristo de la Esperanza.

Puente Mayor

The symbol of the city of Ourense is undoubtedly the Puente Mayor, which over the centuries has been a construction with a dual function. On the one hand, the bridge connected the banks of the river Miño and was an important crossing point to Santiago de Compostela, and on the other it served as a strategic barrier for the city. Originally built during the time of Emperor Augustus, only ashlars at the bases are now preserved of the ancient Roman bridge. It was rebuilt several times in the 13th and 17th centuries.