Visiting Lugo in Galicia

The city of Lugo is found in Galicia in northwest Spain and is the capital of the province of Lugo. The name Lugo probably came from the Celtic deity of Lug or Lugh, whose followers settled in this part of Galicia. Lugo was later conquered by the Romans in 13 B.C. and given the name of Lucus Augusti. During the early middle ages it was mainly an administrative outpost for the Visigoths. Later on it was almost deserted due to economic reasons, recovering somewhat after a few centuries.

The Roman Walls

The Roman Walls are the most famous landmarks of Lugo, it being the only city in Europe to be completely surrounded by Roman walls that are still standing. In fact, if you visit Lugo you can walk around the town on the walls that still stand tall and strong after nearly 2000 years. Their ten gates have a certain significance in the history of Lugo, each having a name and used for a special purpose. The Carmen gate, for example, was used by the pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela. They reach a height of 10 to 15 feet and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Churches

Another site to visit is the Cathedral of Saint Froilán, built mainly around 1129 and amplified throughout the years. Another church nearby that is well worth a visit is the Church of Saint Francis. Its Gothic style and severity is now home to the Provincial Museum where a display of Galician art can be seen.

The Thermal Baths

The Romans who built the walls were also fervent devotees of thermal baths and their legacy can still be seen in the thermal baths of Lugo. These are found inside the spa of Lugo and are still in a well-preserved condition. The hall and the frigidarium, the room reserved for the ritual cold baths can also be seen, even though they now house a Christian chapel.

The Local Cuisine

You should not miss a visit to any of the good restaurants in Lugo. They concentrate mainly on meat dishes such as pork and veal but seafood is also available for any tourist who wishes to sample the local recipes. An especially tasty dish made from pork is the Lacón con Grelos, a stew made from pork shoulder, potatoes, chorizo and other vegetables. It is a great favorite of the tourists who enjoy the taste of pork prepared in the Spanish way.