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>> Parishes...(Cangas)

Street Guide of Cangas..
:: Aldán	:: Cangas
:: Coiro	:: Darbo
:: Hio

Aldán

Few villages so little have its own ria, protected by Cabo Udra and Punta Couso. Aldán is a fishing village, where travellers can see the houses of this old fishing hamlet, combined with centenary “hórreos” (raised granaries), that show us the survival of popular architecture throughout centuries.

It is worth paying special attention to the promenade that flows to the harbour bordering the beach.
At the heart of the parish, we can see the porch of the Church of San Cibrán, with neoclassical design, and the crenellated tower erected behind the walls that limit the atrium. A short street will lead us to the facade of the “pazo”, home of the Aldao noble lineage, who lorded over this land since Middle Ages. The bridge over Orxas river, placed opposite the “pazo”, dates from the same period. This river hides mills and peaceful places, what can be a good excuse for a walk.

Cangas

Cangas is the capital of the municipality and it has today more than 25.000 inhabitants. The first thing that attracts our attention when we come for the first time is the great richness of its historic-artistic heritage. It is worth getting lost walking along the old quarter narrow streets to find examples of fishing popular architecture: the house with “patín” (outer stairs with different uses) and the “casa terreña” (house with ground floor). You will also find beautiful squares, such as Singulis or O Costal ones, and noble emblazoned buildings.

But there is no doubt that the thing you will like most is the former collegiate church, dated from the XVIth century. It is necessary to visit this monument thoroughly and admire the Renaissance facade, the extraordinary Gothic vaults and baroque altarpieces and wood carvings. Once outside, and after going down Rúa Real, you reach the Alameda, where you will find important sculptural works made by artists such as Xoán Piñeiro and Francisco Asorey. At Jardines del Señal, a promenade bordering the village to Rodeira beach, we can see, on the one hand, the rebuilt Hospital Chapel, emblematic monument dated from the XVIIIth century, and, on the other hand, the marina.

Foto: Alfonso Lubian

Coiro

Coiro is, fundamentally, an inland parish and its main attractiveness resides in places such as the Oakwood of Coiro, one of the Protected Natural Spaces in our municipality. It is a typical Atlantic forest with species such as oak, alder or birch, among others. Bouzos river, that crosses great part of this parish, hides numerous mills, among which we can highlight Fausto’s mill, recently restored so the traveller can realize how it works.es, fundamentalmente, una parroquia de interior, y su principal atractivo son sus parajes como la “Carballeira de Coiro”,
 

Coiro is also land of “pazos” (ancient and noble houses), belonging to important noble lineages and it is worth gazing at “Retirosa” and “O Xistro” ancestral home. It is also important the number of emblazoned buildings, such as “O Cruceiro”, where we can still observe the Spanish Inquisition coat of arms.
At the Rectory we can also see heraldic sculptures representing, one of them, the powerful Mondragon family, marquises of Santa Cruz de Rivadulla. But the most impressive monument is the Church of San Salvador, built by Novas brothers in 1784, whose bell tower, with magnificent baroque ornamentation, is worth seeing.

Darbo

Darbo, the same as the other municipality parishes, has a privileged coast, but it is much more than sand and beach. At Monte de San Roque, we can find a little chapel, from where we will enjoy a general view of the village and great part of the Ria of Vigo. Rambling lovers will find at  "Balcón do Rei”” a splendid place to enjoy its favourite sport activity.
 

There are in the parish different works of popular art, such as “cruceiros” (crosses) and “petos de ánimas” (little chapels placed on the road side devoted to the salvation of the souls). There are also a great number of chapels and little sanctuaries, very old, such as San Pedro and San Blas ones, but there is no doubt that the architectural treasure in Darbo is the Church of Santa Maria. Built in the XVIIIth century, it highlights due to its ornamentation and harmonic proportions, being one of the best examples of Galician baroque rural art. A centenary “cruceiro” guards the church entrance and, behind the church, we can find a beautiful baroque fountain.

Hio

There is in Cangas a very important collection of historic monuments that we can see in the parish of Hío. There, we can find the culminating work of popular art in Galicia: the “Cruceiro de Hío". It is worth gazing thoroughly at its numerous sculptures and faces that make it seem to be alive and compose the history of mankind redemption.
 

The “cruceiro” is flanked by the Parish Church of San Andrés, with its wonderful Romanesque porch, and by the "Casa Rectoral", a real country house, built by Ventura de Aldao more than 300 years ago.
Apart from history, we will enjoy nature and cliffs in Costa da Vela, with an impressive beauty, that will open us a way to rise to the top of Monte do Facho. From here, the traveller can see, apart from Cíes and Ons Islands, an impressive general view of great part of Rias Baixas.