Samos

Samos is another obligatory staging post on the Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela. The history of the town is closely linked to that of the monastery; since the peacefulness of these lands made it an ideal place for prayer and retreat.

The monastery of San Xian de Samos, built on the banks of the river Sarriá -also called the Ouribio- was the site of a community of hermits favoured by the religious hierarchy and who gradually built the monastery which eclipses the rest of the town. The monastery, which has been Benedictine since the 12^th century, is a compendium of styles, combining Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque structures. Samos was where Father Feijoo, a native of Ourense who died in the 18^th century and whose memory forms part of the history of Galicia, lived and taught. The monastery was almost burnt to the ground by fire at the beginning of the 20^th century. But fortunately it was rebuilt and visitors can still stroll through the cloisters: one named after Feijoo and other called Nereidas (sea nymphs). Samos has other attractions in store for the visitor. Nature and hiking lovers can tour the Lóuzara valley and the spectacular Sierra do Oribio mountains. There are also places to go paragliding or potholing.