Castro de Penalba
From the profane to the sacred
Información práctica
Cómo llegar
From the urban nucleus of Campo Lameiro, take the PO-221 towards Moraña and Cuntis. After 2.5 km, take the turning on the left. Continue along this road for another kilometre until you reach Santo Antoniño de Penalba recreation area, which is on the left-hand side.
Horarios
The site is free and open.
Accesibilidad
The site is accessible, with the exception of the climb to the Serpent’s Stone.
Recomendaciones
Visitors are asked to respect the archaeological remains. Their conservation depends on your collaboration. Thank you!
For further information
¡Lo que no te puedes perder!
Rock Art Archaeological Park of Campo Lameiro (Campo Lameiro)
The tour of the archaeological park includes access to three different spaces: the permanent exhibition, housed in the Interpretation and Documentation Centre, the archaeological area itself, featuring ensembles such as Laxe dos Carballos, Outeiro dos Cogoludos or Laxe da Forneiriña, and the reconstruction of a Final Bronze Age settlement.
This artistic ensemble was recently added to European cultural heritage through the European Cultural Routes, the Prehistoric Rock Art Trails, an association under the aegis of the Council of Europe which groups together almost all of Europe’s most important tourist destinations based on ancient history.
Acibeiro Monastery (Forcarei)
A jewel of Romanesque architecture in the province of Pontevedra. It was founded in the 12th century, the Benedictines being the first monks to arrive. The 12th and 13th centuries saw the arrival of the Order of Cistercians, which explains why it does not strictly follow the Cistercian style. It is one of the first seven monasteries that existed in the diocese of Compostela.
A Lapa de Gargantáns (Moraña)
A megalithic monument comprising a large elongated stone sunk vertically into the ground, with cup and snake-shape engravings. Its function as an element of demarcation would have been related in prehistoric times to funeral, ritual or spatial aspects, as different natural transit routes converge in its surroundings.
Laxe da Rotea de Mendo (Campo Lameiro)
The most significant motif of this ensemble of petroglyphs is the figure of a large, male deer, probably the largest to be found in Galician rock art and represented in a standing position with its mouth open as if it were making the characteristic rutting sound. A trail links this petroglyph to the Penalba castro.
Curro de Sabucedo (A Estrada)
Every July, the “curro” (animal pen) in Sabucedo hosts the “Rapa das Bestas” (cutting of the horses’ manes), the purpose of which is to delouse the wild horses and improve their health and hygienic conditions. The “curro” is the pen where this takes place.