Ourense

Ourense is probably Galicia's most isolated and least visited city. It is also situated in the region's most sparsely populated province.

Unlike most of Galicia's other big cities, Ourense is some distance inland and has no economic connection with either the sea or fishing. As a result it has a very different character to places like la Coruna, but it does have a particularly beautiful medieval area and some of the most attractive courtyards in the region.

Ourense city has a cathedral and a number of churches, all displaying different architectural trends, and constructed during the various periods of the old town's evolution.

In keeping with many of Galicia's cities, Ourense was occupied by the Romans and one of their remaining legacies is a water spa, still preserved for tourists. The city also has a Roman bridge dating back to a similar period.

The province of Ourense is the only one in Galicia not to have a border with the sea, but this is more than compensated for by Ourense's hilly and mountainous scenery which ranges from soft green valleys to snow capped mountains. Ourense is known for getting very hot in summer and much cooler in winter. It is Galicia’s region of climatic extremes.

If Ourense city has a down side to it, then it must be its isolation and lack of other, geographically close, larger towns and cities. Even so, Ourense does have a lot to endear it and will no doubt increase in tourist popularity.

If you travel to Ourense from locations like la Coruna or Santiago de Compostela you need to allow plenty of driving time, both for the journey and to enjoy the scenic views.

The photographs on this page illustrate (from top to bottom), a former manor house, the cathedral and below, the Roman bridge just outside the city.

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