Foz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Foz
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Location of Foz
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Galicia |
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| Province | Lugo | ||
| Comarca | A Mariña Central | ||
| Demonym(s) | Focego/focega, Focense | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
27780
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Foz is a lovely town and municipality in the A Mariña Central area of Lugo, Spain. It's located in the region of Galicia. This town has a long history, including links to people from Britain who arrived here long ago. Today, Foz is home to about 9,800 people.
Foz is a coastal town right on the Cantabrian Sea. It sits where the Masma river flows into the sea, forming a beautiful estuary that covers about 100 square kilometers. While Foz used to be a fishing village, most of its money now comes from tourism. People love to visit its beaches and learn about its history.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Foz comes from a Latin word, faux. This word perfectly describes the mouth of the Masma river, where the town is located. In Galician, Foz means a river mouth or the lowest point a river reaches.
A Glimpse into Foz's Past
The history of Foz goes way back, even before the Roman times. We know this because of old forts found nearby, like Fazouro. Some historians believe it might have been founded by the Tartessos, an ancient civilization.
Early Growth and Importance
Foz really started to grow in the 800s. This was because an important church center was set up in San Martiño de Mondoñedo, which is close by.
Later, during the time of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Foz kept special rights. This was because it was an important place for trade and business.
A Busy Port and Whaling History
In the 1500s and 1600s, Foz had a very busy port. It was home to one of the three most important shipyards in all of Galicia! Ship owners and fishermen here were mainly involved in whaling, which means hunting whales.
Over time, whaling became less common. However, Foz still has a strong connection to the sea and its fishing traditions today.
Important Buildings in Foz
Two of the most famous landmarks in Foz are the Basilica de San Martiño and the Manor of the Counts of Fontao. These buildings show the rich history and architecture of the town.
Foz's Ports
Foz has two types of ports:
Fishing port: This is where fishing boats come and go, bringing in their catch.
Sport port: This port is for recreational boats, like sailboats and yachts, used for fun and sports.
Foz Around the World
Foz has a special connection with another town far away! This is called "twinning."
Sister City
Foz is twinned with:
Trégastel, a town in Brittany, France. They became sister cities in 2003.
