Tourism in Seville: Ribeira Sacra, land of monasteries
Welcome to the Ribeira Sacra, an inland area of Galicia with stunning countryside such as the Sil River canyon - an emblem of this area with priceless artistic heritage. Here you will find a dozen medieval monasteries that remind us of this region’s importance in the Middle Ages. A real trip back in time
The Sil River is the natural boundary between the provinces of Ourense and Lugo, in the heart of Galicia, northern Spain. You will love its rugged landscapes, dominated by vineyards, mountains and the waters of the Sil River where it joins the Miño. This stage, of some 200 kilometres, is home to the Ribeira Sacra, an area of churches and shrines, mostly in Romanesque style, as well as palaces and monasteries. We would recommend you leave around four days to explore the region. Did you know that this is home to Spain’s oldest Christian parishes? 1,500 years ago, congregations of monks and hermits settled here, devoting themselves to meditation and reflection for centuries. This peace and harmony lives on to this day in the region’s villages and medieval monasteries. Some are now abandoned, but are well worth visiting. Their walls are witnesses to the passing of time. The damp, moss and vegetation give them a mysterious feel.