Monforte de Lemos

The village of Monforte, one of the most important in the Galician interior, preserves many buildings and monuments within its limits that testify to the significance it had in past centuries. Its old quarter has the Property of Cultural Interest designation.

It was the dominion of the House of Lemos. Its palace, from the 13th century and reformed in the 16th, preserves paintings from the walls, the tribute tower and some emblazoned doors. One possible starting point for the tour is the site of the San Vicente do Pino monument, from which an excellent view of the district capital can be seen. At the same time a visit can be made to the Benedictine Monastery and its church; to the Clarisse Convent, which has an exceptional Museum of Sacred Art, or to the San Jacinto Convent. The Compañía College, the Nuestra Señora la Antigua College or the Cardenal College (16th and 17th centuries) of the Herrera style, take their inspiration from the El Escorial Monastery. It contains two patios on distinct sides of the façade (17th and 18th century, respectively). The main altarpiece of the church stands out, work of sculptor Fransico de Moure; it also preserves El Greco and Andrea del Sarto paintings. Another point of interest is the Monforte bridge or “Ponte Vella” over the Cabe River, attributed to the Romans, but with a present configuration from the 16th century, preserving medieval details. Among many leisure activities, Monforte de Lemos offers hunting and fishing, descending canyons, bicycle tourism, hang-gliding, climbing and most of all hiking on trails, principal among which is the south route of the Camino de Santiago.