LOCATION: Pontevedra

Pontevedra is the capital of the tourist region of the Rías Bajas. Its situation is privileged since it is in the centre of the Rías Bajas and on the banks of the river Lérez, which makes it a city with an important tourist value and the restaurant industry provides an important specific weight to the economy. We cannot forget to highlight its old town, the second in Galicia to be entirely declared a Historic-Artistic Site. Among the various options offered by Pontevedra, we cannot leave without visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria, declared a National Monument, built by the ‘gremio de los mareantes’ (fishermen’s guild) in the early 14th century, in a Gothic style and with a plateresque façade where you can read the reference to the family of the sailor Christopher Columbus on the altar. At the end of 15th century the Brotherhood of the ‘Gremio de Mareantes’ was founded and became the economic centre of the city by controlling maritime trade. Pontevedra Museum houses more than 16,000 pieces that are composed of paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, archaeological objects, musical instruments, coins or jewels and is catalogued among the three best Provincial Museums of Spain. Pontevedra’s gastronomy is characterised by the quality of the products, which can be found in the Municipal Food Market, and by the preparation of the dishes.