Betanzos in three days

A complete itinerary to discover Betanzos at a relaxed pace, combining historic heritage, nature, art and local traditions.

Church of Santiago

Church of Santiago

15th-century church transitioning from Romanesque to Gothic, linked to Fernán Pérez de Andrade and the Way of Saint James.

It dates from the 15th century and was built by Fernán Pérez de Andrade “O Mozo” on the site of an earlier Romanesque church. It shows similarities, both in its architecture and iconography, with Santa María do Azougue. It has a basilical plan with three naves, the central one wider than the lateral ones, and three apses. Pairs of supports in the form of pillars with attached columns divide the interior of the church into five bays. Along the southern wall, four chapels open off the nave, altering the original ground plan of the church. The roof of the main body of the church is a gabled wooden structure and features a coffered ceiling made at the end of the 19th century. The main doorway, semicircular on the exterior, has archivolts with various series of vegetal and animated figures; in the centre there is a Christ figure flanked by His Mother with the Child in her arms and Saint James the Apostle on horseback, the latter also appearing on the tympanum. Four pairs of attached columns with Romanesque-style capitals support this doorway. The north lateral doorway is pointed, with simple mouldings; a pair of attached columns and a cross in low relief on the tympanum make up its decoration. Of the southern doorway only the embedded tympanum remains, located at the end of a tunnel that opens into the church; on the interior side it depicts Saint James on horseback, and on the opposite side Christ surrounded by four figures and the instruments of His Passion. This doorway, known as the Holy Door, was the one used by pilgrims travelling to Santiago who visited the Sanctuary of Os Remedios to enter the church. It is a fine example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture, although it was somewhat altered by the reconstruction of the main façade carried out in 1900, during which the church’s only tower was removed, the entire frontispiece was rebuilt, and two towers topped with long concrete spires were added. Fortunately, the main doorway was preserved.

Alfolí (Salt Storehouse)

Medieval building used for the storage and weighing of salt, a key product in Betanzos’ port trade.

Former Hospital of San Antonio

Artist's Perspectives Route

A rediscovery of Betanzos through guided routes, exhibitions and diverse artistic perspectives that reinterpret its heritage and historical memory.

Manuel Naveira Asylum

Charitable building from 1914, promoted by Manuel Naveira González, eclectic in style and now converted into a hotel.

Gothic House or Vilousaz House

16th-century Gothic house built for Lope García de Vilousaz, with a conopial arch and noble coat of arms on the façade.

Neoclassical Town Hall designed by Ventura Rodríguez, with historic coats of arms and an outstanding art collection inside.

Magdalena Chapel

Small 18th-century chapel, heir to a former medieval hospital for lepers under the dedication of Saint Lazarus.

Lanzós Magnolia Tree

Historic grove of magnolias planted in 1884, located between the Church of Santiago and the Pazo of Lanzós, highly appreciated for its summer shade.

Pazo de Piadela

18th-century neoclassical manor house with an L-shaped plan, richly ornamented coat of arms and promoted by an archbishop from Compostela.

Pazo of the Counts of Taboada

19th-century neoclassical manor house located in the historic centre, with a large family coat of arms and linked to the County of Taboada.

Pazo de Bendaña

Historic building from the 15th and 16th centuries with pointed arcade and coats of arms, still serving as the headquarters of the Treasury.

Pazo de Illobre

Manorial residence of medieval origin in Pontellas, renovated in the 20th century, with gardens and a tradition linked to the Counts of Taboada.

Pazo de Lanzós

17th-century Baroque manor house with projecting balcony and modified tower, an example of Betanzos’ urban noble architecture.

Former Municipal Slaughterhouse

Former municipal slaughterhouse from the early 20th century, with distinctive architecture and iron and tile decoration.

Magdalena Sweet Bread

Traditionally enjoyed on Easter Monday or Magdalena Monday, this dish resembles a savoury pie.

Betanzos Omelette

Loureiros or Country Wine Cellars

Blanco legítimo, a historic grape variety, holds Protected Geographical Indication status.

CIEC (International Centre for Contemporary Printmaking)

Printmaking workshop and museum, housed in the modernist building created by Rafael González Villar for the Núñez family.

Convent of Donas

Former medieval convent with origins in the 11th century, linked to As Donas and the Las Cascas priory, now partially in ruins.

Convent of the Augustinian Recollects

17th–18th century convent with a 16th-century cloister, historic coats of arms and valuable altarpieces from the Compostela School.

San Roque Patron Saint Festivities

San Roque Balloon

The world’s largest paper balloon rises every 16 August in honour of Betanzos’ patron saint, San Roque.

Medieval Feira Franca

Church and Convent of San Francisco

14th-century Gothic temple declared a BIC, with extraordinary tombs of the Andrade family and rich sculptural decoration.

Church of Santa María do Azogue

14th–15th century Gothic church with Flemish altarpieces, mural paintings and tombs of medieval Betanzos society.

Church of Santiago

15th-century church transitioning from Romanesque to Gothic, linked to Fernán Pérez de Andrade and the Way of Saint James.

Modernist building by Rafael González Villar combining architecture, commerce and art, now home to the CIEC Foundation.

1906 modernist building on Valdoncel Street, designed by Matías Witz, restored and characterised by balconies and an upper cornice.

Casa Limiñón, built in 1902 on Rúa Traviesa, a clear example of modernism and decorative craftsmanship.

Mariñán-style houses of Fonte de Unta, A Cañota and Rúa Quiroga

Traditional agricultural neighbourhood of Fonte de Unta, characterised by arcades and wooden balconies used as urban granaries.

Constitution Square

Historic square in Betanzos featuring the Town Hall, the Clock Tower, the Church of Santiago and several medieval palaces.

García Naveira Brothers’ House

French-influenced building built in 1890 as the home and business of Juan García Naveira, notable for its use of marble and commemorative plaque.

Jesús García Naveira School

Os Cabildos or San Francisco Schools, built in 1917, a unique example of modernist architecture with Islamic and Baroque references.

García Naveira Schools

Schools built in 1908 by the García Naveira brothers, eclectic in style, with innovative educational methods and now housing social services.

García Naveira Brothers Statue

Historic route of the English Way from Ferrol to Betanzos, lightly travelled, combining sea and inland landscapes, natural scenery and medieval towns.

Soportales del Campo Arcades

Popular street with gallery houses and arcades, now an area of bars and restaurants and a social meeting point in Betanzos.

Neoclassical 18th-century manor house, with an L-shaped floor plan and a large heraldic coat of arms, promoted by Archbishop Sánchez Baamonde.

Pasatiempo Park

Historic garden created by Juan García Naveira in the late 19th century, famous for its grottoes, sculptures and social and cultural symbolism.

Museo das Mariñas

Extensive ethnographic collection of traditional costumes, photography and history.

Casa da Rega or Villa Flora

Casa da Rega, built in 1922, an outstanding example of Indianos architecture and 20th-century Galician eclecticism.

The Mandeo River stands out for its rich fish fauna and for hosting the Os Caneiros pilgrimage, the largest non-religious pilgrimage in Galicia.

Fountain of the Angels

Historic fountain documented since 1613 and rebuilt in 1834, bearing the coats of arms of the city and Archdeacon Pedro de Ben.

Hórreo da Rúa Nova

This 18th-century urban granary is privately owned and recalls the ancient Orreum mentioned in Betanzos’ foundation charter of 1219.

Municipal Clock Tower

16th-century municipal tower attached to the Church of Santiago, hexagonal in plan and featuring a clock decorated with wind reliefs.

Tower of great historical interest linked to the Irmandiño revolts, rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries, an example of a tower with a hat-shaped roof.

Port of Betanzos

The medieval port of Betanzos has not been preserved, but quays and promenade areas remain.

Betanzos Estuary

The Betanzos estuary, a protected Natura 2000 area, brings together the Mendo and Mandeo rivers and stands out for its landscape and wildlife richness.

Parish Church of Santa María de Pontellas

13th-century Romanesque church with a single nave, pointed triumphal arch and simple bell gable, a sober example of rural Galician Romanesque.

A Acea and Roibeira Mills

Diana the Huntress Fountain

Monumental fountain inaugurated in 1867, a replica of the Diana of the Louvre and one of Betanzos’ most recognisable urban symbols.

Fonte da Cangrexeira

Fountain cited in documents from 1633, also known as the San Gregorio Fountain, linked to the port and the Magdalena district.

Four Seasons Fountain

Monumental fountain inspired by the Louvois fountain in Paris, decorated with female figures representing the four seasons.

Picachá Fountain

Neoclassical fountain from 1911, designed by Francisco Javier Martínez Santiso, decorated with semicols, coats of arms and marine figures.

Former medieval gate of Betanzos, also known as the Royal Gate, decorated with the coats of arms of Galicia, Castile and León, and the city.

Casa del Pueblo (People’s House)

Building promoted in 1917 thanks to the legacy of Jesús García Naveira for the Federation of Workers’ Societies of Betanzos.

Wooden Pedestrian Bridge

Roibeira Bridge

Preserved arch of the former medieval New Bridge of Betanzos, a historic symbol that once crossed the Mandeo River and connected the town with its surroundings.

Medieval bridge documented since 1219, with five arches and 59 metres in length, now crossed by pilgrims on the English Way.

Old Bridge of As Cascas

Old As Cascas Bridge, cited in the year 1200, rebuilt in the 19th century and preserved as a historic element of the urban area.

Medieval gate of Betanzos’ historic centre, also known as Porta da Ribeira or Porta de Paio Fermoso, built in the 15th century.

New Bridge Gate

15th-century medieval gate, the best preserved in the city, with remains of towers and a pointed double inner arcade.

Old Bridge Gate

15th-century medieval gate that preserves the portcullis guides and served as a control point for the weights of market goods.