Things to Do in Ourense

Located right on the banks of the river Rio Mino the ‘Termas de Outariz’ are a delight for tourists. With 14 indoor and outdoor thermal pools, it creates a perfect relaxation spot for tired travellers. Taking inspiration from Japanese bathing culture Termas de Outariz aims to create an authentic and beneficial bathing experience to the visitor.

• The area is divided into two zones namely the lower and the upper. The lower zone has 11 indoor and 3 outdoor springs and can host about 180 people. It also has traditional Japanese baths, Jacuzzis, gravity jets and much more.
• The waters of this enclosure are mineralized with fluoride, silicates and bicarbonates which primarily treat arthritis, rheumatism, muscle aches and stress.
• The upper area has a cafeteria, sushi bar located in a gazebo overlooking the river, a Japanese tea room, a children’s play-area and a conference room.

One of the main attractions in Ourense are its hot springs as the place holds one of the greatest amounts of geothermal water in Europe. There are many such ‘pozas’ around the city where you can have an outdoor bath. Ancient romans instantly realized the medicinal potential of such naturally occurring hot springs and it soon became known to heal physical complications like arthritis and rheumatism. One such thermal spring located on the banks of river Mino is ‘A Chavasqueira’.

• It is a wood-made architectonic construction inspired by ancient Japanese Temple. It has a stone garden surrounded by springs.
• The place supplies three outdoor warm swimming pools with temperatures ranging from 41 degrees C to 70 degrees C. 
• It also has one cold swimming pool, two saunas and a café for refreshments.

Declared as a National monument in 1931, the Ourense Cathedral is a result of eight centuries of construction and altercations. From the time it was founded in 550 A.D till now, it has undergone various changes in its architectural style- ranging from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical to finally incorporate the Latin Cross plan.

• There are four entrances from four directions into the cathedral. Each of the entrances have intricately designed archivolts with the most striking being the west one, named portico of Paradise.
• The Portico of Paradise was built by students of Master Mateo. Its three arches have intricately designed sculpture of incidents and events from the Bible, Centaurs fighting Mermaids, Dragons and Harpies.
• Perhaps its most striking feature is the use of color palettes which were restored in the 18th century from the original Romanesque polychrome.
• On the outside a huge octagonal lantern tower and a gothic dome from the inside was built somewhere in the 15th century. The dome which is about 200 feet tall, adds a royal feel to the place with its beautifully sculpted statues and walls.
• The Cathedral also served as the final resting place of its keepers. Among them were Bishop Vasco Perez Marino, Bishop Lorenzo, Don Alonzo Gonzales del Padron to name a few.
• The crucifix in the cathedral is said to be the most revered in all of Galicia.

Located in the heart of the city the Thermal pool of Burgas were inaugurated just few years back for the public. It is right next to the historic hot springs of As Burgas. The water flows at a temperature of about 60 Degrees Celsius, while the bath temperature is 37 Degrees Celsius. Its waters are alkaline, litínicas, fluoride, silicate and slightly radioactive. The place also includes a large pool, a Roman bath and a wet Sauna. Although not exactly used for therapeutic purposes as much as for relaxation, the As Burgas are among the famous thermal pools in Ourense.

The Plaza Mayor is located right at the heart of the city of Ourense, very close to the Cathedral. The Plaza is rectangular in shape and is sloped on one side which makes it quite exceptional among other main squares in Spain. On the south end is located the Town hall which was constructed at the end of 19th century which was the house of bishop once. It still has the old balconies, low portico, classicist façade and the weapons from that time. The shops there have arcades to protect people from the sun. The Plaza is surrounded by old and antique buildings on all sides and has been the centre of attraction in Ourense for various kinds of festival celebrations, fares and fiestas.

The most significant church in its facade and the second oldest after the Orense Cathedral, it took about a 100 years in the making. It was built in the 17th century by the order of Jesuits. The facade which is constructed in Galician baroque style is particularly striking for its asymmetry and its concave shape. Because of a huge number of houses lined up on either side of the church, the designer Friar Placido devised a concave pediment. In its interior lies a Latin cross with three longitudinal ships, and is dominated by a large Baroque altar with Christ of Hope.

Formerly located near the Auditorium of Orense this building was moved brick by brick to its current location in San loranzo Park. The 14th century Gothic Cloister of the convent of San Francisco, has a rectangular plan with 63 arches 76 double columns. Declared a National monument in 1923 it also has a fantastic collection of anthropomorphic animals sculpted between arches. The convent was closed for a long time and was re-opened in June 2013 and is now converted into a hostel for pilgrims.

Located just 1kilometers from Church of Saint Martin of A cova, Praia da Coba is a nice sandy river beach on the backwaters of River mino.

Surrounded by lush green scenery the riverbank is an ideal place for a quiet summer evening with friends and loved ones. It has a recreation area and a restaurant, plus a nearby viewpoint with spectacular views over the curve formed by the river.

Isolated in the Arenteiro Valley this Trappist monastery is popular with its pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Declared as a National Monument, Oseira monastery is in existence since 1137. Saint Bernard had sent an order of French monks to the monastery in 1141 and after centuries of maintenance they left in 1835. They returned in 1929 and rebuilt the destroyed portions of the monastery.

• The Church was built in a classic Roman style. Taking inspirations from Preregrination churches it is considered as a landmark of Roman architecture in the Spanish Peninsula.
• Inside, the main chamber is known as ‘palm tree room’ and boasts of a dome supported by four columns.
• It also has a lapidarium which is a collection of stone pieces obtained during restoration.
• Apparently, today there are only 13 monks in the monastery. They also have a small shop where they sell souvenirs, cheese, honey and liquor made by them and it is also where the pilgrims can get their books stamped.

The city of Ourense is split in two halves, North and South by the Mino river. There are plenty of bridges which cross the river but the Old Roman Bridge is one among its two most iconic bridges. The other one being the Millennium Bridge. Also known as Puento Romano the bridge was built during the medieval era and rebuilt during the 13th century with its pointed arcs and ramps. For several hundred years this was the only bridge to cross the river for the pilgrims. Crossing the bridge during the evening gives you a pleasant view of the River.

Aptly named as ‘The Acropolis’, Monterrey castle is the largest of its type in Galicia. Built in 12th century, it played an important role throughout the Portugal-Spanish wars. Having been strategically located right at the edge Spanish border the castle intersects three camino routes. It was also an important stop off point for pilgrims on their way St James’ tomb in Santiago de compostella.

• Since built specifically for safeguarding purposes the castle’s defensive architecture is eminent by its fortifications.
• Inside, the Counts Palace lies within the three walled enclosure. Built somewhere between 15th and 17th century in the renaissance style, it features a symmetrical upper and lower arcade with arches and columns.
• The most outstanding feature of the castle would be the Homage tower. With walls 3 metre thick and 22.3 metres high, the chiselled emblems of individual masons are still visible on many of the granite blocks.

The museum is in one of the oldest functioning buildings in Plaza Mayor namely the Episcopal Palace. The best example of Romanesque civil style, the museum’s collection include pieces dating from Palaeolithic times to the current day.

• There pre historic exhibitions of stones and carving tools used by Palaeolithic humans.
• One section explores the Iron-Age hill forts and features an original collection of stone sculptures and warriors.
• Weapons, sculptures and funeral tombstones and a whole set of liturgical objects from the Romanesque and Medieval times.
• Monastery Paintings, Wood carvings, apothecary jars, fabrics and ornaments from the renaissance era.

The city of Ourense is split in two halves, North and South by the Mino river. Out of the many bridges that cross the river, the Millennium Bridge or Puente do Milenio as it is called is starkly beautiful. Opened on 1st September the bridge is about 275 metres long. It was built to solve the problem of transportation across the river and to make the Old Roman Bridge only pedestrian to save the structure. The most iconic characteristic of the bridge is a looped circuit which takes the pedestrians around, under and over the bridge. From the highest spot on the suspended lookout point, you can take in the river, the Roman Bridge, and the entire city as it folds out across the river basin.