Logbook · 5 places

What to see and do in Soutomaior

What to see and do in Soutomaior (Vigo, Pontevedra): 5 places across monuments, nature, activities and curiosities, with a photo and a Google Maps location.

1 Villages · 1 Monuments · 1 Activities · 1 Historical milestones · 1 Food and drink

How far each place is from the centre of Soutomaior

Castle of Soutomaior 1.1 km
Festival of a Ostra de Arcade 2.8 km

Towns near Soutomaior

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What to see in Fornelos de Montes 10 km · 3 places
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Spain › Galicia › Pontevedra › Vigo › Soutomaior

What to see and do in Soutomaior

Soutomaior
Village
Soutomaior is a concello of Pontevedra in the Vigo metropolitan area, situated between the Suído mountain range and the head of the ria, on the final stretch of the Verdugo river. It is dominated by the castle of Soutomaior, dating from the 12th century and remodelled in the 15th by Pedro Madruga, declared a bien de interés cultural (Spain's highest level of heritage protection) together with the rock carvings of Pedra dos Riscos, both in the parish of San Salvador. Its economy revolves around albariño wine, protected since 1996 by the Rías Baixas designation of origin as its smallest subzone, and the oysters raised in the ria by its parish of Arcade, a product of recognised renown. It has around 7,600 inhabitants.
Castle of Soutomaior
Monument
The Castelo de Soutomaior is a medieval fortress, documented since the 12th century, located on the summit of Monte Viso, 119 metres above sea level, overlooking the confluence of the rivers Oitavén and Verdugo; it was the head of the lordship of Pedro Álvarez de Soutomaior, known as Pedro Madruga, who died in 1486, and it suffered partial demolition during the Irmandiño revolt. In 1870 Antonio Aguilar y Correa, Marquis of la Vega Armijo, turned it into a summer residence and restored, remodelled and enlarged it until he gave it the palatial appearance it retains, and it was even visited by King Alfonso XII. Acquired by the Deputación de Pontevedra in 1982 and restored in 1987, it is today surrounded by a botanical garden with century-old trees. It has been a Ben de Interese Cultural (the Galician form of Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's highest level of heritage protection) since 17 October 1995.
Festival of a Ostra de Arcade
Activity
A celebration born in 1987 at the initiative of the oyster farmers of the parish of Arcade, pioneers in exporting the shellfish; it is a declared Festival of Galician Tourist Interest and serves tens of thousands of oysters on its big day.
The demolition of the castle of Soutomaior by the Irmandiños
Historical milestone
The great irmandiña revolt (1467-1469) reached Monte Viso as well: the brotherhood men dismantled the fortress of the Soutomaior family, which had to be rebuilt afterwards by Pedro Álvarez de Soutomaior, Pedro Madruga.
The oyster of the San Simón inlet
Food and drink
The waters where the Oitavén and the Verdugo flow out raise oysters, clams and cockles of long-standing fame. The Arcade oyster is eaten raw, opened on the spot, and has its great festival in the parish.