ROUTE OF THE “PAZOS” AND CAMELIAS

If there is a civil construction in Galicia that can leave us breathless, these are its pazos and, of them, their magnificent gardens.

The pazos are large stately homes. They tell us the story of nobles and noblemen throughout the centuries, and also how these characters influenced the future of Galicia until today. Many of them have their origin in fortified towers of defense that, over the centuries, were reconverted into palatial homes. The most spectacular are those found in the rural environment, with large grounds and magnificent gardens. With the fall of the feudal system and the migration of the population to the cities, they have been given different uses, and many of them can be visited.

A route through history. 

Although there are also country houses in inland areas of Galicia, the most spectacular are in areas near the coast. On our route we will visit two of the most significant pazos. Of course, also their imposing gardens.

Pazo de Rubianes. 

Located in Vilagarcía de Arousa, and closely linked to the founding of this town, the Pazo de Rubianes is a palatial complex with 40 hectares distributed between the garden, the farm and the forest. 20 hectares are of Albariño grape vineyard. We are, possibly, in the largest farm in the entire Salnés Valley. The camellia plantation began in this place on 1850, housing currently more than 4,500 specimens.

Pazo do Faramelho. 

Along the Camino Real of the Portuguese Way to Santiago, the Pazo do Faramelho is very close to Compostela. Its industrial origin, the old “Real Papelera” (the Royal Paper Factory), makes this pazo absolutely unique in its style. Its mixture of French gardens, industrial mill, ponds, swimming pools, river, a chapel with a beautiful Gambino altarpiece and many other treasures make a visit to the Pazo de Faramelho indispensable and also surprising.

Camellia, queen of the winter garden. 

The exteriors of the pazos are magical places. Over time, the stone has been integrated into the landscape, as well as its wonderful gardens and, in many of them, the queen is the camellia.

In Japan, it was said that when the gods visited the earth, they lived in the flowers of the camellium. And although its millenary origin is actually oriental, it would seem that the camellia was born to grow in Galicia. Both the climate and the composition of the land are ideal for its cultivation and thus we can see specimens of considerable size and of very wide varieties. With their bright colors, they are the joy of the gardens in the winter months and also a symbol of Galicia.

Departures from Santiago/Silleda/Lalín/Rías Baixas