Discover the innumerable charms of the castle of Baiona
Have you heard of Castillo de Monterreal de Baiona? You can take advantage of your stay at the Mougás campsite to visit it. Nowadays, the fortress houses an emblematic national parador. Its exceptional location is a peninsula makes it a dream place. In this post we tell you a little about the history of this wonderful place.
More than 400 years of history
The Castillo de Monterreal, also known as the Castillo de Baiona, was finished in the 16th century. Even before it existed, the Monterreal fortress was a strategic area where the defense of the maritime territory of the Rías Baixas was based. At that time, a great wall was observed that protected of the pirates. The Catholic Monarchs granted the Carta puebla, a manuscript that allowed many families to live in the village. Once the sixteenth century arrived, the town became a prosperous place. Its port, together with that of A Coruña, had the exclusive privilege of foreign trade.
The transformation of Monterreal Castle
The current fortress, located on the peninsula of Monterreal or Monte Boi, is the result of a constant evolution over time. In it you can see medieval and Renaissance elements. However, its history is much earlier because the existence of a fortified enclosure is already documented in Roman times more than two thousand years ago. It is believed that a military camp was established on the site in the 2nd century BC and that Julius Caesar had to persecute the rebels to the Cies Islands to conquer Baiona.
The three towers
Three towers are preserved from the fortified character of the complex. At the entrance we find the Clock Tower, which stealthily housed a clock and a bell that alerted in case of attack. To the east is the Tower of the Tenaza, which defended the port with some batteries of fire. However, the oldest tower is that of the easternmost part, the Prince's Tower, which acted as a beacon to guide the boats of the estuary.
Who has lived there?
The Castillo de Monterreal, as our eyes see it, bears similarities with the construction of the medieval era. It was the military governor Diego Sarmiento, Count of Gondomar, of Acuña who gave him this name in honor of the Catholic Monarchs. Although, curiosities of history, nowadays the hotel establishment that houses inside is called Parador Conde de Gondomar. It opened its doors in 1963.
Thalasso and walk looking at the Cíes
In addition to visiting the fortress, you can also travel the entire perimeter of the Monte Boi peninsula through the authorized trails. It is a beautiful walk facing the Atlantic where recently opened a free outdoor thalasso on the facilities of an old cetarea. We advise you to go at sunset to enjoy the splendid sunsets over the Cies islands.
Do you want to know more about the history of the Monterreal fortress? Click here.