Travel Guide to Ourense, Spain

This city is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges; Orense is a major center of wine-making and a widely famous resort area. Orense is rich in iconic places, and the number of tours is not poor even if compared to the capital. The first mentions of the city refer to the 5th century. For many centuries these fertile lands have been the cause of the wars, and so the territory changed its owners several times. The first settlers were the Romans. Later the territory was conquered by the Visigoths, then by the Suevi, Moors and Normans.

Nowadays the old part of city is the location of one of the most important architectural monument preserved from the Roman times - the old bridge. Another major attraction is the Romanesque Cathedral, which western portal is considered the most beautiful one. It is decorated with magnificent sculptures, which beauty can by exceed only by the interior of the cathedral. Here you can see unusual lights, gilded statues, and carved sarcophagi.

Not far away from the cathedral begins the so-called "street of bars", by walking on which you will reach the largest gallery of the city - Klaustro de San Francisco. Here regularly take place numerous exhibitions, and so you can see works by contemporary painters and photographers. One of the most beautiful squares of the city called Plaza do Ferro is located just nearby. Around the square you will see small wooden houses built during the medieval period.

Your tour program should certainly include excursions to the Archaeological Museum, the most valuable collections of which are considered Roman and Gallic sculptures. The most beautiful nature reserve of this place is Rio Sil Canyon. Here you can walk in pine forests and oak groves, enjoy boat rides on the river and see several old churches.