O Saviñao facts for kids
O Saviñao is a cool place in the Lugo province of Galicia, Spain. It's like a small county or district, and its main town is called Escairón. This area is part of the beautiful Terra de Lemos region.
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Exploring O Saviñao: Location and Life
O Saviñao is found in a special area called the Ribeira Sacra. This region is known for its amazing landscapes and ancient monasteries. It sits in the southern part of the Lugo province.
Where is O Saviñao Located?
This area is surrounded by other towns. To the north, you'll find Pardela and Taboada. To the south and east, it borders Pantón. To the west, it's next to Monforte de Lemos, and also Taboada and Chantada. The land here is about 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet) above sea level.
Rivers and Waterways
Several rivers flow through O Saviñao, making the landscape green and lively. These include the Río Sardiñeira, Rio Saviñao, Rio Pez, Rio Barrantes, and Rio Porriño. The longest river in Galicia, the Miño, forms the western edge of O Saviñao.
Towns and Local Economy
O Saviñao has 29 smaller areas called parishes. Its main town, Escairón, is home to about a thousand people. Another important town is Currelos. The people here mostly work in farming. There are also places that make dairy products and wine. Some businesses focus on building things, and a few offer rural tourism, like cozy country houses. Escairón also has a small area for factories and businesses.
Local Markets
If you like markets, you're in luck! In Escairón, markets are held on the 8th and 9th of every month. In Currelos, you can find a market on the 26th of each month.
Discovering Ancient History and Heritage
O Saviñao is full of interesting old sites that tell stories from the past.
Ancient Burial Sites
One important archaeological site is the Anta-Abuime, also known as the Mamoas of Abuime. This is a small, ancient burial chamber. It's located about four kilometers (about 2.5 miles) north of Escairón.
Celtic Settlements: The Castros
You can also find many castros here. These were ancient settlements built by the Celts. They often stood on hills for protection. Some of the castros in O Saviñao include:
- Abuime de Castro
- Castro de Torre in Freán
- Castro de Illón in Licin
- Castro da Portela in Diomondi
- Mourelos de Castro
- Castro Besta in Vilelos
- Castro de Villacaiz
The castros at Villacaiz and Abuime are the easiest to see and explore today.
Amazing Architecture: Churches and Manor Houses
O Saviñao has many beautiful old buildings, from grand manor houses to historic churches.
Grand Manor Houses: The Pazos
Pazos are traditional Galician manor houses. Here are a few notable ones:
- The Pazo in Vilelos: This manor house is shaped like an 'L' and has its own chapel. It features shields that belonged to the Ulloa family. It is not open for visitors.
- The Pazo Arxeriz: This pazo was once owned by Juan Lopez Súarez. Its first owner was Gonzalo Raxo in the 1500s. It has a square shape and two important shields on its north side. Many parts have been fixed up recently. This pazo is now a museum that you can visit!
- Pazo das Cortes: Located near the old Romanesque church of San Pelayo of Diomondi, this pazo is shaped like a 'U'. It has a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. This building, from the 1700s, is not open to the public.
- Casa da Abbey of St. Stephen Ribas do Minho: This house is surrounded by a stone wall. You enter through a large archway. It's a rectangular building with a small chapel outside. This one is also not open to the public.
Historic Romanesque Churches
O Saviñao is home to several important churches built in the Romanesque style. This means they have thick walls, round arches, and often detailed stone carvings.
Santo Estevo de Ribas de Miño
The most important church is Santo Estevo de Ribas de Miño. This monastery was built in the 1100s. Some people say the same stonemason who designed the famous Portico da Gloria in the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela also worked here. While this is a nice story, there's no real proof. However, the main door does look a bit like the Portico, just smaller. It also has artistic links to other churches in the region. The church has the largest round window (called a Rosaton) in Spain! Over time, parts of the monastery fell apart, and some of its stones were used to build houses in the village. But the church is still used today for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and church services.
San Pelayo of Diomondi
Nearby is the Romanesque church of Diomondi, dedicated to San Pelayo. An inscription inside the church shows that its main doorway was set in 1170. The stone carvings here are similar to those found in Lugo Cathedral. The same builders also worked at San Pedro de Portomarin, where an inscription dates that church's dedication to 1182.
Candaira Tower: A Military Building
The only military building in O Saviñao is the Candaira tower in Rebordaos. This tower was built in the 1200s. It has a square base, about 9.8 by 9.9 meters (around 32 feet by 32 feet). The tower has three floors, and the top floor has battlements, which are parts of a wall with openings for defense. This tower is not open to the public.
See also
In Spanish: Saviñao para niños
