Monforte 
Monforte de Lemos - Overview:
Monforte de Lemos is a genuine Galician town which has retained an aire of Spanish authenticity with no major concessions to tourism. It has various impressive buildings of historical architectural interest along with well-maintained municipal areas, squares and parks. The area offers an abundance of outdoor activities including bungee jumping, canoeing, caving, climbing, golf, paragliding, walking and trekking. Hunting and fishing are two common activities in the region and, as a result, you can enjoy excellent gastronomical delights such as trout, elvers (baby eels) roe deer and hare.
Monforte de Lemos - Getting there:
Monforte de Lemos is located in the province of Lugo, 60km from the walled city of Lugo. Monforte's main access road is the A6 motorway, taking the N120 exit toward Monforte-Ourense, near Ponferrada. There is however a much narrower and older road that also takes you to Monforte de Lemos from Ourense. This scenic route navigates through the mountains, affording spectacular views - but it is not recommended for the faint hearted! Monforte is located 110km from the town of Ponferrada, and the closest cities are Ourense (40 km), Lugo (60 km) and Santiago (117 km).
Monforte de Lemos - Geography:
The town of Monforte de Lemos is dominated by its hilltop monastery which is now a Parador hotel. Most visitors to Monforte believe it to be quite a small place and many are surprised to discover it has a population of about 20,000 inhabitants. Monforte is definitely a land-locked town, located at the centre of Galicia with no obvious connection to the sea or tourism.
Monforte de Lemos is home to a couple of spectacular buildings - the hilltop monastery and a large college - along with many attractive municipal areas, a large museum and a medieval bridge. The Alameda (main square or park) is large and is surrounded by well planted gardens. The terrain in this central area of town is flat, which is quite unique for Galicia.
Pavements are lined with cafes and bars and many streets are in pedestrianised zones scattered with supermarkets, shops and banks. In keeping with most land-locked towns, Monforte de Lemos is built around a river and the older parts of the town are located either side of the original stone bridge.
Monforte de Lemos - Sightseeing:
Monforte de Lemos' tourist office is adjacent to the large town square. Here you'll be able to pick up a free town map which identifies and lists the features of tourist interest.
The main attraction of Monforte is the former monastery, now a Parador hotel, which dominates the town from on high and can be seen from some distance away as you approach by highway. On entering the town a circular route leads to Monforte's main square (Alameda) and the 'Colexio de Nosa Sra. do Antiga (Escolapios)' Monforte's other building of cultural interest.
The college sits to one side of the Alameda and the structure is truly massive and highly detailed in its design. You can take a tour inside the college and opening times are available from the tourist office. Monforte's Alameda is large, partly tiled and partly grassed, and hosts various fiestas during the year.
Fiesta dates:
- Empanada and Lamprey Festival. Last Sunday in August.
- 21 September. San Mateo.
- 12-16 August. Festivities in honor of the town's patron saint, La Virgen de Montserrat.
-3 February. San Blas.
-San Lorenzo. Sunday before Holy Week.
Away from the main square and heading towards the town centre you pass through the 'Parque dos Condes, a park which features a small lake complete with bridges and a pleasant trellised walk way. From here you can reach the river and also look back to see the collegic building.
Monforte de Lemos' attractive medieval bridge was formed by four arches with buttresses and it spans the river Cabe at the central point of the town. If you cross the river here you'll see three small old buildings featuring Galician galeria's (enclosed balconies) and between them you will see an old granite convent. The convent was founded in 1622 by Count Pedro Fernandez de Castro and the original construction on this site started in 1634. Today the convent is called the Museo de Arte Sacro and contains exhibits from Monforte de Lemos and the surrounding area.
Away from the historical sightseeing, Montforte also has numerous sports fields and tennis courts. Other interesting sightseeing trips around the area of Monforte de Lemos include: The Route of the Monasteries; Romanesque routes (Monforte, Sober, Proendos, Pinon, Cadeiras & Lobios); Route of the 'Way of St. James'; Catamaran trips and exploring the Ribera Sacra region.
Monforte de Lemos - Our holiday accommodation and service:
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