Pontevedra to Rotonda

We returned to the historic medieval town of Pontevedra to visit a few more points of interest and left our backpacks in the care of staff at the entrance of the Peregrina Shrine; a fitting place I thought!

Ruins of Santo Domingo, dating back to the 14th Century and declared a national monument in 1895
Ruins of Santo Domingo, dating back to the 14th Century and declared a national monument in 1895

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16th century Basílica de Santa María A Grande
16th century Basílica de Santa María A Grande

It was rather a disappointment that we could not enter the bullring, the only permanent bullring in Galicia. It only opens in summer, during the festival of the Virgin Peregrina.

Bullring
Bullring
Hand painted tiles!
Hand painted tiles!

We eventually left town at about 12 noon.

Puente de Santiago over the Río Lérez on our way out of town
Puente de Santiago over the Río Lérez on our way out of town

Again, I enjoyed walking through, and observing, the countryside. The vineyards now seem more structured / formal than those I saw in Portugal. Everything seems so under control and without fuss. The women work hard. And at lunch-time there is always a congregation of men having a social drink! I have very seldom seen women in the coffee shops or pubs…

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Igrexa Santa María del Alba
Igrexa Santa María del Alba
Cemetary
Cemetery behind the chapel
Ancient Cruceiro de Amonisa, with St. James replete with staff, looking towards Compostela
Ancient Cruceiro de Amonisa, with St. James replete with staff, looking towards Compostela

We stopped for ‘supper’ at about 3pm because it was the last food stop (according to the guide book) before we got to our accommodation. There are no shops or restaurants in the vicinity of Albegue Briallos, our destination. The place was locked when we got there but fortunately a German pilgrim found a phone number for the hostess who told her where the key was. It was dirty and poorly equipped. The hostess eventually pitched at 8:30pm to check us in! Not a place I would recommend!

Entrance to Albegue Briallos
Entrance to Albegue Briallos

By the time I settled down for the night I was hungry again…