Ribeira Sacra

This is the route of the monasteries and the Romanesque, of the heroic viticulture and the canyons of the Sil River. Our journey will take us to the banks of the river, flowing amongst terraced vineyards embedded upon steep slopes, which can reach 60%. This area has the highest concentration of Romanesque monasteries of Galicia and perhaps in Europe.

These lands are a good example and epitome of remains from different eras. From the first settlers, prehistoric forts remain although Roman presence was the one that helped transform the landscape by introducing the cultivation of vineyards and olive trees.

The Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil is a Benedictine monastery situated in the south side of the river and today a Parador, one can freely visit the three cloisters, the church and its museum.

We will also visit the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, unique for being excavated in the natural rock and for being the oldest one in Galicia. Its walls hold more than 1500 years of stories and legends, thus making this place one of the most magical and mystical destinations in Galicia.

Surrounded by a lush forest of chestnut trees and along the Sil River banks, there lays the lesser known Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas del Sil, that we may visit time permitting.

In this land of vineyards, it could not be otherwise, we will have the opportunity to visit some of its ancient cellars and taste their wines.