Mancomunidad Vigo

Council: Vigo
Localization: Vigo

Council: Vigo
Localization: Vigo

Date: 12th to 19th centuries
Council: Soutomaior
Localization: Soutomaior castle, 36691 Soutomaior.
Soutomaior castle was born as a defensive fort in the 12th century. It was refurbished many times over its history and some of these were forced due to circumstances such as in the 15th century when it was partially destroyed during the Irmandiños revolts. The restoration carried out by Pedro Álvarez de Soutomaior & Pedro Madruga, converted it into a residential castle, thereby giving importance to the comfort of the residents than to military use. The latest refurbishments were carried out by the Marquis de la Vega de Armijo in the 19th century. He got a garden built with most of the big trees seen today. A Neogothic styled ladies gallery was also built. The Marquise of Ayerbe, his niece, installed a clinic in a nearby building, which has been converted today into a rest house. It belongs to the Provincial Government of Pontevedra since the 1980s, who paid for its full restoration, including the old clinic. Besides its artistic and architectural value, the place fulfils a cultural function, since its halls are a venue for many meetings, congresses, artistic workshops and short-term exhibitions.Open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00 hours in winter and from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00 in the summer. Entrance free. Property of the Provincial Government of Pontevedra.

Date: 1870
Council: Soutomaior
Localization: Soutomaior Castle, 36691 Soutomaior
A land with an area of 25 hectares with an extensive use over its 800 years of existence. Its garden was created in 1870 thanks to the planning ordered by the then owner of the castle, the Marquis de la Vega de Armijo. The project sought the development of a garden in which exotic species of trees, bushes, ornamental plants, as well as autochthonous varieties coexisted side by side. All of the above within a garden with a rationalist style, very much in use in palatial residences at the end of the 19th century. Its botanic collection is of great interest due to its diversity of species as well as because of the age and the size of some trees, not only with respect to autochthonous varieties but also those that come from the five continents, amongst which we can highlight sequoias, tree ferns, many types of Chile pines and cedar trees. Since the 1980's, when the castle became the asset of the Provincial Government of Pontevedra, the initial camellias collection, catalogued as one of the oldest in Galicia, became the starting point for the creation of one of the best camellias collections in the world, which includes more than five hundred specimens.Open all days of the year. No entrance fee.