With 30,000 inhabitants, Redondela is the town with the second largest population in the Greater Metropolitan Area after the city of Vigo. This was not the case in the Middle Ages when the town had more inhabitants and was more influential than its neighbouring city to the South. The town has an area of 52 km2 and its territory is divided into 14 parishes: Redondela, Cabeiro, Cedeira, Cesantes, Chapela, Negros, Quintela, Reboreda, Saxamonde, Trasmañó, Ventosela, Vilar de Infesta, Vilavella and O Viso. Despite the population being dispersed all over its territory, most inhabitants live in the parishes of Redondela and Chapela.
The geographical relief of Redondela is conditioned by mountains such as Galleiro and Suído, and the valleys of the rivers Maceiras and Alvedosa, which are the main freshwater flows in its territory that discharge into Vigo Bay. The climate is mild and humid and promotes agricultural development in the low lands and forestry and timber on the rugged mountainous slopes that make up its relief. 
The coastline in Redondela extends along 18.7 kilometers. The Rande Straits, the San Simón inlet and the archipelago with the same name make up its most significant elements. The capital of the municipality grew along the banks of the channel and the estuary of the river Alvedosa. The main sandy beaches are Arealonga, Rande and Cesantes; this last beach is one of the longest in Vigo Bay and is more than 2 km long.
This is a coastal region with calm waters, several coves and sheltered regions for vessels. There is abundance of freshwater inflow and small streams, fertile shores and hills that protect the low lands from the dominant winds. These are the elements that define a territory that has been adequate for human settlement since prehistoric times. The archaeological remains at Ventosela, Negros and other parishes are proof of early human activity in the area. Settlements increased with the advent of the Romans and the Middle Ages. Agriculture and fishing were the historical production activities from early times. 
Timber, fish salting, food processing were the first steps towards industrialization, which increased upon the arrival of the railways during the decade of 1880, thereby connecting the town and its neighboring areas with Vigo, Pontevedra and Santiago, and also with the rest of Spain through posterior railway expansion in its territory. The Madrid viaduct and the Pontevedra viaduct were the two outstanding engineering works of this town in the area of Vigo Bay for an entire century. This leading role of the railway was surpassed during the decade of 1980, when the Rande Bridge was brought into service. The viaducts and the bridge are symbols from two epochs namely; railways and roadways.
The importance of industry increased considerably in Redondela during the second half of the 20th century. The textile sector has one of the emblematic companies not only of Galicia but of Spain, located in Regojo. The food industry was born in this town with the incorporation of Pescanova, which is a leader in the field of fisheries and precooked foods.
The rise of tourism along the coast did not affect Redondela, who managed to keep its identity despite constant pressure from “development”, unlike the other towns along the coast. Redondela, the fishing town, the worker town and also the town with artistic and historic heritage, are proof of a glorious past. Most parish churches are Romanesque in origin. The town was also an obligatory stopping point for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela. Religious architecture increased over centuries in line with this religious fervor that came from the South. The fertile lands and resources from the sea meant that the Lords from this land lived a life of opulence and built stately houses like the ones seen at Pousadouro, Torre Cedeira, Torres Agrelo, Casa Grande de Reboreda, Petán… , these are some of such big houses with coats of arms, which are situated in Redondela, a city without any complexes which lies next to a big city to which it offers some benefits and derives other benefits from it.
Natural heritage is yet another asset that attracts visitors. There are paths that pass through the highlands, such as Camiño da Auga (water paths); scenic viewpoints at Monte Penide, Trasmañó and Peneda, which are a natural boundary between Redondela and Soutomaior. 
There are coves of extraordinary beauty along the coastline for resting, for fishing, for strolling and for enjoying the view of the inlet, which is a refuge for migratory birds, and where one can see the autochthonous dolphins, entering the Bay in pods in pursuit of shoals of sardines and little fish on which they feed or sometimes accompanying the fishing vessels on their way home to their berth in Cesantes.
The island of San Simón is a symbol by itself. It has been unoccupied for over forty years now and this island, which in reality is comprised of two islands, was a lazaretto where ships berthed to complete their quarantine period. It was also home to monks and served as a refuge for seafarers besides also being an orphanage. But it was, above all, an inspiration for the most important troubadours of medieval Galician-Portuguese lyric, such as Martín Codax, Mendiño and Xohán de Cangas. San Simón had a large and honorable history but it also had some black chapters like the time when it was a concentration camp during the Spanish Civil War and during the first years of General Franco’s dictatorship.
Gastronomy and traditional festivities
Although Redondela is the “town of viaducts” to many people because of the stamp created by both railway bridges on the profile of the town, it is also called the “town of cuttlefish”, (choco in the Galician language) because of the importance of this cephalopod in the gastronomic offer here. The name of the residents from Redondela is sometimes replaced by the form of address “choqueiro”. 
This is so embedded that the local football team is called Club Deportivo Choco. In the first fortnight of May and generally on the second Sunday of the month, Redondela rises up to the occasion to demonstrate why it is so called. The choco festival is an entire gastronomic affair where professional cooks and amateurs demonstrate their experience and creativity with new culinary dishes with choco as the principal protagonist. Although this is the most important gastronomic festivity in Redondela, it is not the only one. Chapela pays homage to mussels, which are omnipresent both in the cooking and the landscape. Cedeira pays homage to pork’s ear while Negros hosts the apple festival. Both land and sea have blessed these festivities and generously provide this town’s markets with top quality food products. The gastronomic offer is wide and there are numerous restaurants, taverns, eating houses, cheap bars, etc. where the visitor can try out fish, shellfish, tapas and the typical dishes of the area.
The Redondela festive tradition is complemented by two important dates when the town puts on its best. The Festa da Coca is an ethnographic manifestation by itself with its penlas and sword dances and with the sea monster that comes out to chase maidens. On the religious note, Redondela celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi, when the main streets of the town are covered with petals in floral designs. The May Festivity, os Maios, which is linked to the annual cycle, celebrates the rebirth of vegetation with a mixture of artistic and cultural manifestations.
Redondela
How to get there. Telephones of interest.
Photo Gallery.
 | Abra de Meu
Council: Redondela
Localization: Paseo do doutor Jesús Durán Troncoso, 5. Praia de Arealonga, Chapela. Telephone: 986 458 047
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| A Chabola
Council: Redondela
Localization: Praia de Arealonga, Chapela. Telephone: 986 453 148
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 | Antolín Hostel
Council: Redondela
Localization: Cesantes beach, Cesantes
Offers double rooms with bathroom and a year round popular restaurant. |
 | Apple festival
Date: First Sunday in October
Council: Redondela
Localization: Parish of St. Estevo de Negros, on the N555 road that links Redondela with Peinador airport.
Apple has a great gastronomic importance, even beyond its fresh consumption. It is present in starters, salads, fish dishes, all types of meat dishes, in desserts, compotes, cider prepared artisanally, etc. It would be strange to find a rural Redondela house that does not have at least one apple tree.The apple veneration is held via a demonstration of its wide gastronomic repertoire, where the parish of Negros and the entire Redondela municipality have cultivated a huge variety of apples. |
  | Arealonga Beach
Council: Redondela
Localization: In the parish of Chapela, near the Carmona jetty.
Arealonga is a calm water beach, with golden, fine grain sand. It is urban since it lies on the road that links Vigo with Chapela and in the past was the national highway 550. Despite this being a small beach, it was quite popular in the past, especially with Vigo citizens, since there was a tram line up to the mid 1960s that linked Chapela with Vigo through Teis. The residents of Chapela are the main users of the beach today and in the winter, its main attraction is its gastronomic offer with a wide selection of establishments specialised in fish and shellfish.Small urban beach about 250 m long and 10 m wide. It is used by small vessel as an anchorage point for fishermen of the area. It has facilities like a children's park, showers and a promenade around which there are many catering establishments: restaurants, old style restaurants and seafood places. It has a small car park for free parking, with space for 50 cars. There is a bus stop (city &inter-city) (Redondela-Chapela-Vigo) at a distance of 800 metres. Sea access is through small boats or through the jetty at the marina located at the end of the beach. |
 | Bar Casa Consejo
Council: Redondela
Localization: Estrada de Negros, 26. Santo Estevo de Negros. Telephone: 986 401 194
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 | Cabanas Beach
Council: Redondela
Localization: Parish of Trasmañó, on the western side of Rande bridge.
The Cabanas beach is a cove rather than a beach and popular with residents of the area and therefore not very crowded. Access is difficult since once has to cross the unguarded train level crossing to get there. The compensation of leaving your car behind and walking right through is the calm, clean waters and spectacular views of the Rande bridge.Little beach, about 100 m long and 5 m wide. Golden, fine grain sand. Accessible on foot from the N552 road through a path that crosses the level crossing. There are no services offered but there is an inter-city bus link Redondela-Chapela-Vigo a short distance away. |
| Casa Cándido (House of Candido)
Council: Redondela
Localization: José Fernández López, 1 Barrio de Angorén, Chapela. Telephone: 986 452 760
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 | Casa Catalina (House of Catalina)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Saramagoso, 22. O Viso. Telephone: 986 495 788
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| Casa da Triga (House of Triga)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Asnelle de Abaixo, 12 Reboreda. Telephone: 986 404 235
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 | Casa Figueroa (House of Figueroa)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Galleiro, 90 Vilar de Infesta. 36815 Redondela. Telephone: 986 402 663.
Offers three double rooms, two bathrooms, living room, kitchen and open air space. |
| Casa Mucha (House of Mucha)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Praza de Santiago Apóstolo, 2. Redondela. Telephone: 986 404 288
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| Casa Paco (House of Paco)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Estrada de Vigo, 40. Redondela. Telephone: 986 401 101
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| Casa Rei (House of the King)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Playa de Arealonga, Chapela
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| Casas (Houses)
Council: Redondela
Localization: O Viso, 8 Saramagoso. Telephone: 986 495 516
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| Casa Tio Polivio (House of Uncle Polivio)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Tuimil, 49. O Viso. Telephone: 986 495 600
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  | Cesantes Beach
Council: Redondela
Localization: In the parish with the same name, the beach can also be accessed from the urban centre in Redondela via a small road.
Cesantes is the biggest beach in Redondela. It can be considered as an urban beach since housing development reaches it from the northern end. The beach ends a few metres from the jetties of the port of Redondela, which also belongs to Cesantes. Amongst its most distinguishing characteristics are calm and very safe waters for youngsters. The sand is fine and golden in colour. Cesantes is one of the principal shellfish banks for cockles in Vigo Bay.A beach which has a length of 2,400 metres, and a width of 10 m. It has many services such as hotels, restaurants, camp site, drinking water, showers, access to handicapped persons, car park, promenade and a railway crossing of the Vigo-Santiago railway line. |
 | Cesantes Campsite
Council: Redondela
Localization: Outeiro das Penas, praia de Cesantes, 36815 Redondela. Telephone: 986 495 766
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| Choco (sepia) Festival
Date: First fortnight in May
Council: Redondela
Localization: Redondela, urban centre and surrounding areas
There are two identifying emblems in Redondela, namely, the viaducts and the chocos. The town of choco --where even its football team is named choco-- is so called because it was one of the most frequent cuttlefish products that was landed at its jetties by inshore fishermen. Popular folklore states that the sepia or cuttlefish go upstream of the rivers to lay their eggs on fallen twigs in brackish waters of the river Alvedosa. The Redondela chocos are still famous today and deservedly so. The choco festival is accompanied by many cultural and recreational activities.The gastronomic excellence of the choco (cuttlefish/ sepia) is celebrated on its special day celebrated on the second Sunday in May, although there is no fixed date. Most of the catering establishments in this town offer dishes where choco is the prime ingredient. There is also a gastronomic competition where the best recipes for creativity and traditional cooking: cooked in ink, as a pie and served with rice, are awarded prizes. |
 | Church of St. Andrew
Date: 18th century
Council: Redondela
Localization: Cruceiro neighbourhood in Cedeira parish.
St. Andrew's is the parish church of Cedeira. It is situated in the Cruceiro neighbourhood, where the visitor will also find a very interesting stone cross and a carving of the holy souls in purgatory with a water spring. The Pazo de Torre Cedeira is just a few minutes walk from here.A Baroque style church built in the 18th century, where the influence from the Compostelan architecture is noteworthy. |
 | Church of St. Fausto
Date: 12th century
Council: Redondela
Localization: Chapela parish near the Higher Secondary School, on the road to your right (towards Vigo).
The church of St. Fausto of Chapela, is Romanesque in origin and a beautiful building, which was active as a parish church until a short while ago. From its atrium we can get a fabulous view of Vigo Bay. Another church was built a short distance away where liturgical services are held.A little Romanesque church with a floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross, and which was subject to posterior reforms. |
  | Church of St. James the Apostle
Date: 11th and 16th centuries
Council: Redondela
Localization: Parish church in the urban centre of Redondela.
This was originally a Romanesque style church that was consecrated by Archbishop Gelmírez, in 1114, but there is hardly any element left from this original temple. What the visitor sees today is essentially from the 15th and 16th centuries. The dedication to the Apostle reminds us that Redondela is one of the stops of the ancient Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela along the Portuguese Route.Renaissance church with a central nave and five chapels in its interior, a result of the superimposition of styles starting with the Romanesque style in the original building. Building works were initiated in the 11th century and finished in the first years of the 12th century. |
| Churrasquería Choles (Choles Grill House)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Vilar de Infesta. Telephone: 986 403 162
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| Climb if you can (Sube se podes)
Council: Redondela
Localization: Estrada do Cruceiro, Cedeira, 36812 Redondela
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 | Coca Festival
Date: Coincides with the Corpus Christi
Council: Redondela
Localization: In Redondela
Coca is a legendary monster, a type of dragon, which lived in the sea near Redondela. The monster comes to land every year and the residents confront the animal with their weapons. The Coca Festival besides being a local feast is also one of the most traditional festivities in Galicia. It represents the pagan part on the day of Corpus Christi, and coincides on the same day.Traditional and popular Coca Festival, where a big monster is the protagonist. This mythological animal roams the streets and provokes combats that are symbolised into the swords dance. |
 | Convent of Vilavella
Date: 1554
Council: Redondela
Localization: Urban centre on the exit road towards Vigo and Porriño.
The Convent of Vilavella was originally situated outside the urban limits of Redondela, but the growth of the town absorbed it fully. After its confiscation, it lived a long agony. It was then put to a number of uses until it was rehabilitated. It is presently managed by a company which holds banquets, company meetings, and ceremonies.Convent of nuns that was occupied for the first time by the Justinian nuns, once the building was finished during the middle of the 16th century. Its structure has been built as a central structure and a tower with battlements. The church has just the one nave. |
| El Abuelo Chico
Council: Redondela
Localization: Pai Crespo, 13. Redondela. Telephone: 986 404 261
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| El Canario
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Vigo, 194. Chapela. Telephone: 986 450 003
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| Festa do Mexillón (Mussel festival)
Date: First fortnight in September
Council: Redondela
Localization: Chapela
Mussels are present not only in gastronomy but also in the landscape of the Galician Bays. Chapela has a port where mussels have been traditionally harvested from rope cultures and are landed either for fresh consumption or for depurating and use in the processing industry.The protagonists at this feast are mussels, which are cooked into many recipes. From the simplest cooking, namely, steamed to elaborate recipes such as in pie, fried, in sauce, in salads in timbale… |
 | Hotel Casa Antón ( House of Antón Hotel)
Council: Redondela
Localization: O Viso, 8 Soutoxusto 36815 Redondela. Telephone: 986 495 136 Fax: 986 495 336
Hotel located on the national highway 550, in the parish of Soutoxusto. It has double rooms, a restaurant with a wide selection of dishes and halls for celebrating events. |
| HR O Xardín
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Redondela, 81. Chapela. Telephone: 986 454 274
Offers 10 double rooms. |
 | Island of San Simón
Council: Redondela
Localization: A few metres from the coast, in the parish of Cesantes.
The island of San Simón was populated during the Middle Ages with monks and other religious orders. From 1838 onwards and at the wish of Nicolás Taboada Leal, who was a doctor and the official journalist of the city of Vigo, San Simón was converted into a lazaretto where overseas vessels had to pass quarantine when they arrived here, in order to stop the several epidemics that erupted at the time, especially cholera . Its lazaretto function continued until the end of the 1920s. Its worst history was between 1936 and the middle of the following decade, when it was transformed into a prison by Franco's regime. There were 4000 persons imprisoned here, who had a high death rate because of the execution by firing squads at night, which were frequent, especially in the first years, and these were living conditions that were proper to an extermination camp rather than a prison, not forgetting the poor an bad food available to the inmates. It was later used as an orphanage and then closed definitely. It lay abandoned for more than 30 years until the Xunta de Galicia recovered it for cultural purposes. There are organised visits to the place now. To get there, one has to ring 986 903 884 or contact via e-mail:
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unit formed by two islands joined by a little bridge and tiny islets. They are public property and administratively depend on the Xunta de Galicia (regional government), which manages the unit through the Illa de San Simón Foundation. The Department of Culture initiated a restoration of the buildings to dedicate them to cultural activities. There is a assembly hall, rest house and other facilities. This was the project of the architect César Portela. The place has a jetty and access to the island is restricted and therefore one has to have permission to go there. It has been classified as a Site of Community (LIC) & Historic Interest. Its natural highlight is its box wood, with big long-lived specimens, something which is rare for this shrub specie. |
| Lemos
Council: Redondela
Localization: Eirapedriña, 4, Cedeira. Telephone: 986 403 202
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 | Loa Galicia
Council: Redondela
Localization: Ribeira, 15. www.viaxesloa.com Tfno. 986 409 960
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 | Madrid Viaduct
Date: 1872
Council: Redondela
Localization: In the town centre
The company from Medina to Zamora and from Ourense to Vigo (MZOV) got the licence for the line between Vigo and Ourense, and works began in 1863 but did not finish until 1881. This 131 km trajectory of the Redondela viaduct is the most important work and second in importance for difficulty after the Os Valos tunnel works, between the municipalities of Redondela and Mos. The company given the tender subcontracted many companies to carry out the works. There is a story in Redondela about one such subcontractor, the Italian Pedro Floriani, who tried to commit suicide by hurling himself from the viaduct when he was told that he would not get paid for his work since the viaduct did not comply with the technical requisites and would therefore not be put into service. Floriani did not die but became paralysed and died years later as a consequence of his injuries from his suicide attempt. However, he lived long enough to see the first train pass over the bridge, which is mistakenly believed by many to be built by Gustave Eiffel.It is 411 m long and has a slope of twenty thousandth. It was built by the Compagnie de Fives Lilles, on an 1872 project. The first train passed over it in 1876. It was removed from service in 1971. It is now declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest. It is comprised of a central board on a continuous metallic beam, steel latticework structure, sustained on four masonry pillars. The free space between pillars is 50 metres. Two hundred and fifty metres of the bridge pass over the river bed in Redondela, while the remaining 161 metres, up to a total of 411 metres, make up the access way at the two ends, which are made of stone. |
| May Festival
Date: First Sunday in May
Council: Redondela
Localization: Redondela
A tribute to nature, to flowering and germination of trees and flowers. It has a satirical complement in the songs composed and sung on the occasion.The festivity is organised around the construction of artistic figures with plants. |
| Mesón O Canastro
Council: Redondela
Localization: Jorge Regojo, 10. Redondela. Telephone: 986 404 640
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| Mil Mares
Council: Redondela
Localization: Baixada Carmona, 2. Chapela. Telephone: 986 451 891
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 | Mount Penide
Council: Redondela
Localization: A massif which surges along the SW of the municipal capital.
Mount Penide, is not a summit but a set of summits, a massif with many natural resources, vantage points and archaeological remains. Some of the most important hiking routes of the Atlantic Lands pass through it, like the GR 58 or the Greas Route. |
| O Mesón de Cesantes
Council: Redondela
Localization: Praia de Cesantes, 154. Cesantes. Telephone: 986 495 167
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 | Pazo Torres Agrelo
Date: 19th century
Council: Redondela
Localization: Asnelle de Abaixo, 130 Reboreda. 36818 Redondela. Telephone: 986 408 021 Fax: 986 408 021 www.torresagrelo.com
[ + information ][ see in the map ][ DESCARGARCOORDENADAS ] |
| O Migas
Council: Redondela
Localization: Isidoro Queimaliños, 41. Redondela.
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| O Pear
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Redondela, 6. Telephone: 986 452 780
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| O Regato
Council: Redondela
Localization: Outeiro das Penas, 164. Cesantes. Telephone: 653 79 47 40
It is only open during the summer months. Offers double rooms with bathroom. |
  | Pazo de Cedeira o Torrecedeira (Aristocrat house)
Date: 17th and later centuries
Council: Redondela
Localization: In the neighbourhood of Cruceiro, parish of Cedeira.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Manuel Bárcena, the owner of this manor house, was conferred with a noble title, namely, Count of Torre Cedeira, by the King of Spain. The house by then had undergone two amplifications, the most recent one ordered by the Count himself, who built the building of the savings bank Caja de Ahorros de Vigo, today known as Caixanova, and the work was entrusted to one of the most famous architects of the time: Paczevich. The manor house has a central block with stairway and a big balcony with a vantage point. Its garden has centenary trees and vegetation that practically hides it from indiscrete eyes.Construction began in the 17th century, with a central structure to which posterior parts were added in the 18th and 19th centuries. The garden is from the end of the 19th and start of the 20th century. It is privately owned and prior permission is needed to visit the building. Many films were shot at this site. |
   | Pazo de Pousadouro (Aristocrat house)
Date: 1740
Council: Redondela
Localization: Parish of Reboreda
Francisco Marcó del Pont, son of a Catalan business family who came to live in Vigo to start a fish salting business, was the person who ordered the construction of this building. Besides the industrial nature of this family and their huge success, the Marcó del Pont family were also well known for their military prowess, with generals amongst them, and also in politics, with one Mayor of Vigo from the family and one Viceroy in Peru. After many difficulties, this manor house changed ownership, the new owner was an important Vigo businessman named Enrique Lorenzo, founder of the Vulcano shipyard and other companies. The manor house now belongs to his heirs.The growth of the town of Redondela reached the very gates of this house, which today can be considered as an urban area, despite not being so originally. It has been catalogued as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). The building was planned as an L shaped floor plan with a tower with battlements at one of the ends. The staircase which leads to a little sheltered space called patín is worth mentioning. There is a garden and surrounding boundary wall. The chapel lies in this open but enclosed ground. |
| Pensión Brasil 2
Council: Redondela
Localization: Quintela, Redondela. Telephone: 986 402 251 Fax: 986 402 251
Offers double rooms. |
| Pensión Rural Jumboli
Council: Redondela
Localization: O Carballiño, 9. Cesantes. Telephone: 986 495 066
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 | Pilgrim's Route to Franqueira
Council: Redondela
Localization: From Redondela up to the sanctuary at Franqueira
The path goes along the traditional pilgrimage route to the sanctuary of the Virgin of Franqueira, located at A Cañiza. From Redondela, the itinerary passes through Cepeda, Frades and Mondariz, until it arrives to the Franqueira mountains, where the most important Marian sanctuary of the province of Pontevedra lies.A long route, the GR 57, which has a length of 52 km, lasts 13 hours and is of medium difficulty. |
| Pinales
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Vigo, 182. Chapela. Telephone: 986 454 051
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 | Rande Beach
Council: Redondela
Localization: Between Cabanas (Trasmañó) and Rande (Cedeira), on the eastern face of the Rande bridge. Access from the N552 road is very near the petrol station.
[ + information ][ see in the map ][ DESCARGARCOORDENADAS ] |
 | Reboreda Watermills
Council: Redondela
Localization: Reboreda parish, on the banks of the river Alvedosa. Two km from the urban centre on the road from Redondela to Pazos de Borbén.
[ + information ][ see in the map ][ DESCARGARCOORDENADAS ] |
 | The Pilgrim's Route to Santiago
Date: From the 11th century onwards
Council: Redondela
Localization: Two stretches of the Portuguese Pilgrim's Route to Santiago enter here: Saxamonde and Chapela, which meet at Redondela.
[ + information ][ see in the map ][ DESCARGARCOORDENADAS ] |
  | Pontevedra Viaduct
Date: 1883
Council: Redondela
Localization: It passes over the urban centre of Redondela, towards the north.
The so called Pontevedra viaduct, also called the Santiago viaduct, has been active for about 125 years now. It was built to link the cities of Vigo and Santiago. The latter city had a railway line that was inaugurated in 1873, that finished in Vilagarcía - the Compostela Railway line of the Infant Mrs. Isabel. The father of the poet Valle Inclán was the secretary to the Board of Directorsand shareholder of this company. Mr. John Trulock, the maternal grandfather of Camilo José Cela became the manager of the same company after its transformation into the West Galician Railway Company. The West Galician line used to terminate at Redondela station, from where passengers had to take the MZOV line to get to Vigo or to travel to Madrid.It was built in 1883, and served to overcome the last obstacle of the railway line between Redondela and Santiago, belonging to the West Galician Railway Company. It is a smaller bridge than its companion bridge. The structure, board and supporting elements are fully metallic save for the access stretches, which were built with stone. It entered into service in 1884. |
| PR Bahía de Chapela
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Redondela, 6 Chapela. 36815 Redondela. Telephone: 986 451 228
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| Rande Beach
Council: Redondela
Localization: Between Cabanas (Trasmañó) and Rande (Cedeira), on the eastern face of the Rande bridge. Access from the N552 road is very near the petrol station.
Rande beach lies to the east of Rande bridge, between the bridge itself and the mineral loading pier of the Ponferrada metallurgy company which built this installation here in the middle of the 20th century. Access through the N552 road is quite steep making it difficult for older people to access the beach. There is a little fishing village near the beach and ruins of an old factory known as the German Factory. The floating mussel platforms are a short distance away. It is a very interesting place due to the contrast between the Rande bridge with its huge span and modern aspect that contrasts with the little houses and small boats that are grounded on the beach.Small beach about 100 m long and 10 m wide. Golden, fine grain sand. Has a ramp for handicapped people and also a car access. There are no public services. Possibility to anchor small boats. Lies within the protected area of the San Simón inlet. |
 | Rande Bridge
Date: 1977
Council: Redondela
Localization: Cabanas, Trasmañó
The Rande bridge was built as a project of Fabrizio de Miranda, and is the most important engineering work of the 20th century in the province of Pontevedra. Works started in 1973 and finished in 1977.The entire stretch of the motorway was not concluded until 1978 and was launched into service only in 1981. The building of a bridge to unite the two shores of Vigo Bay was a dream that was claimed by important personalities such as Gerardo Campos and Antonio Palacios.Hanging bridge which is 1,558 m long with 400 metres of space between its two central pillars. It is part of the toll motorway AP 9, although you can travel free on it between Vigo and Morrazo. |
| Reboreda Watermills
Council: Redondela
Localization: Reboreda parish, on the banks of the river Alvedosa. Two km from the urban centre on the road from Redondela to Pazos de Borbén.
Fluvial courses have been used by man since ancient times, either to grind grain or to transform such hydraulic energy into useful energy for daily manufacturing purposes in fulling machines and in forges. In the case of the Reboreda watermills, the energy was used to grind grain to obtain flour.A set of watermills that make use of water energy from the river Alvedosa to move its wheels. There are many such mills restored today and two such are now used as eating houses. |
| Redontur
Council: Redondela
Localization: Casto San Pedro, 6. http://redontur.grupoairmet.com Tfno. 986 400 103
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  | San Simón Inlet
Council: Redondela
Localization: In Vigo Bay, an inlet formed between the Rande straits and the mouth of the river Verdugo.
The innermost area of Vigo Bay has a shape of a lake, and forms an inlet of calm waters that receives fresh water inflow from the rivers Verdugo and Alvedosa, and from small streams such as Maior, whilst the strong Atlantic tides enter through the Rande straits. The place is protected by a crown of mountains and is sheltered from the dominant winds. The depth varies from nearly 20 m in the vicinity of Rande to less than 1 m at Arcade. The inlet has been catalogued as a refuge zone for migratory and aquatic birds.It has been catalogued as a Special Nature Protection Site (ZEPVN). The inlet has a surface area of 22.5 square kilometres, a length of 8 km and maximum width of 3.6 km and a minimum width of just 0.7 km at the Rande straits. |
| Serunión
Council: Redondela
Localization: Avenida de Redondela, 34. Telephone: 986 453 040
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| The Pilgrim's Route to Santiago
Date: From the 11th century onwards
Council: Redondela
Localization: Two stretches of the Portuguese Pilgrim's Route to Santiago enter here: Saxamonde and Chapela, which meet at Redondela.
The Portuguese Route has always bifurcated into two throughout history. One of these goes through the interior and reaches Valença do Minho, crosses the river Miño at Tui, and then continues to Porriño and finishes its trajectory in Redondela. The second route, also known as the coastal route, traverses an ancient Roman route in part, called the per vía romana, per loca maritima. It passes through Caminha, goes to A Guarda, Baiona, Nigrán, Vigo and from there continues to Chapela before arriving at Redondela, where both Pilgrim's Routes join and continue as one up to Compostela.The Portuguese Pilgrim's Route to Santiago, which is ramified in Portuguese territory, joins together in Redondela, the end of a stretch where there is a pilgrim's shelter at the Casa da Torre. |
| Water Channel Route
Council: Redondela
Localization: Between Cedeira, in Redondela and Cantabria street in Vigo. Accessible from both ends and from intermediate roads in Teis, Chapela and Trasmañó.
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| Torre de Babel
Council: Redondela
Localization: Millarada, 33. Vilar de Infesta. Telephone: 986 487 091
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 | Trasmañó vantage point
Council: Redondela
Localization: In the parish of St. Vicente de Trasmañó.
The parish of St. Vicente de Trasmañó reaches the coast of Vigo Bay in its Cabana neighbourhood. However, its population centre is located at the top of Mount Penide, from where you can get a magnificent view of Vigo Bay. Towards the east are the straits of Rande and on the west one can see the mouth of the Bay with the Cíes Islands at its far end. Towards the east, one can see the entire San Simón inlet.There is a monastery at Trasmañó, which is a modern building made of bricks and is occupied by Benedictine sisters, who until the end of the 20th century were housed in a convent in A Guarda. They are quite well known and they deserve such fame for the sweets they make at the convent |
| Viajes Airbus de Galicia
Council: Redondela
Localization: Plaza Ribadavia, 2 - bajo. Tfno. 986 401 800 www.viajesairbus.com
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| Viajes Eroski
Council: Redondela
Localization: Pr. Santiago Apóstol, 1. www.viajeseroski.es Tfno. 986 402 639
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| Water Channel Route
Council: Redondela
Localization: Between Cedeira, in Redondela and Cantabria street in Vigo. Accessible from both ends and from intermediate roads in Teis, Chapela and Trasmañó.
The water channel or water route was created in the 1970s when the Eiras reservoir was brought into service to provide water supply to the city of Vigo. Between Vigo and Redondela, the route has practically no steepness and is relatively easy to traverse. The Vigo stretch is quite urban with detached houses and a tarred road with a speed limit of 20 km/h. The Redondela stretch, after it passes Chapela, alternates between tarred roads and dirt tracks. The visitor can have spectacular bird's eye views of the whole of Vigo Bay all along its 13 km stretch. The route is abandoned at Cedeira, climbing down towards the Pazo de Torrecedeira, and on towards Redondela. There is a frequent public transport service available both to and fro if the visitor wishes to return to the starting point.A route that it partly a dirt track and partly tarred road, which in reality is a service road for maintenance works on the feeder water channel from the Eiras reservoir (Pazos de Borbén) to Vigo. The route is 13 km long and is of low difficulty. Ideal on foot or by mountain bike. |
