Portomarín

The town developed on the banks of the river Miño, with two distinctive districts: San Juan and San Pedro. In 1963, old Portomarín drowned under the waters of the river Miño when the Belesar Reservoir was built. The town was rebuilt on a nearby hill, following a medieval pattern with cobbled streets and arcaded houses. The Romanesque church of San Juan, that of San Pedro Peter and other important buildings were moved stone by stone to the new location.

• Church of San Nicolás: previously dedicated to Saint John, it is a fortified temple built in the 13th century that belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. It was rebuilt stone by stone in its current location place due to the construction of the Belesar Reservoir.
• It consists of a nave with five sections covered with a ribbed and pointed barrel vault. The towers have a crenellated top.
• Church of San Pedro: it has a Baroque façade with a Romanesque doorway dating from the 10th century, although it was not consecrated until the 12th century. In the 17th century it was largely modified and given a new look by adding a belfry on the bell tower. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument on February 8th, 1946.
• Portomarín staircase: leading up to the Chapel of the Virgen de las Nieves.
• Medieval “pazos” (manor houses): “Pazo” of Berbetoros, “Pazo” of the marquis of Paredes and “Pazo” of the Count of Maza.