Route of the Monasteries in the Ribeira Sacra

The first day is set aside for visiting the monasteries in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra. The itinerary begins in San Pedro de Rocas. It is the oldest monastery in Galicia, located in the town of Esgos and built on a rock. The Ribeira Sacra Visitor Centre located inside is an ideal exhibition space to get in touch with the area, understand the customs of its people and life inside the monasteries. The next stop will be the temple of Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadanedo, where visits must be booked in advance, as in the case at the monastery of Santa María de Montederramo, just 20 kilometres away.

Back on the road, when you reach the town of Abeleda, don't hesitate to stop for a moment at the As Penas de Matacás viewpoint. You will see the impressive panoramic view of the two banks of the Sil River, with its characteristic sloping vineyards. Another spot to get a closer view of these peculiar crops is the Soutochao viewpoint, approximately halfway up the slope.Finally, at the highest point of the town of Monforte de Lemos is the monastery of San Vicente do Pino. It is currently one of the two Tourism Paradors in the Ribeira Sacra.

The second day of the route focuses on the monuments located on the banks of the Sil River, including the only monastery that still preserves monastic life, that of San Salvador de Ferreira de Pantón or Bernardas Monastery. They maintain the tradition of making exquisite sweets, so you can take home some of their specialties such as butter 'golosas' or coconut and almond 'coquiños' with honey that is harvested at monastery itself.The second visit will be the imposing monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, also converted into a Tourism Parador and whose visit includes three cloisters and the church. 

Getting back on the road towards Luintra, you will find the Penedos do Castro viewpoint. This is a must-see stop to see how Santo Estevo settles into the slope of the Sil Canyon and to see, in the background, the mouth of the Cabe River. In the opposite direction, towards Parada de Sil, you have the Cabezoás viewpoint to enjoy another spectacular panoramic view. The next destination is the monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, a true Romanesque gem, surrounded by chestnut trees on the slopes of the Sil Canyon. The last stop is the monastery of San Paio. Although this monument is currently in ruins, on the outside you can see remains of the church, the cemetery and the old patio/cloister. Before reaching this point, along the A Teixeira road, you will find other places of interest, such as the ancient chestnut tree of Entrambosríos; the Mao River walkways; the village of Cristosende and the Cachón waterfalls.