Friol facts for kids
Friol is a small town and a group of villages, called a municipality, located in the Lugo province of Galicia, in northwest Spain. It shares borders with several other towns. To the north are Begonte and Guitiriz. To the south, you'll find Palas de Rei and Guntín. Lugo and Outeiro de Rei are to the east, and the province of La Coruña is to the west. Friol covers an area of about 295 square kilometers. In 2005, it had a population of 4,533 people, which means there were about 15 people living in each square kilometer.
Contents
Exploring the History of Friol
Ancient Times in Friol
The history of Friol goes back a very long time! You can still find ancient stone structures called megaliths there. These are some of the oldest things preserved in the area. Later, the powerful Romans came and settled in this region. After the Romans, the Visigoths, a Germanic people, also lived here.
Medieval Period and Noble Families
During the Middle Ages, several important families shared control over Friol. These families were the Ulloa, Parga, and Seixas. You can still see proof of their power in the old buildings, towers, and castles found throughout the area.
One of the most famous buildings is the Fortress of San Paio of Narla. Nobody knows exactly when it was first built. However, it was rebuilt in the 1500s by Don Vasco Seixas. He was an important lord who owned several estates. His family, the Vazquez de Seixas, was very powerful. They were involved in big events, like supporting King Henry II during a time of conflict over who would rule. Many local legends and stories are told about the San Paio of Narla fortress and its owners. Another important building linked to this family is the Pazo do Monte, located nearby.
See also
In Spanish: Friol para niños
