Heart and capital of A Terra Chá
Heart and capital of A Terra Chá
Heart and capital of A Terra Chá
Between rivers, meadows and gentle hills, Vilalba welcomes you to the heart of A Terra Chá. Its capital —which is also the capital of the entire comarca— is a lively, welcoming town with an urban atmosphere, great restaurants, hotels, open-air spaces and a vibrant cultural life. At its very centre stands the imposing Andrade Tower, the symbol of its history and now part of the Parador Nacional. The Northern Way of the Camino de Santiago also crosses the town, a stage ending for many pilgrims who find rest and warm hospitality here.
Vilalba’s rich heritage and its landscape of springs, rivers and thermal waters shape the identity of the whole municipality. Its gastronomy also carries the unmistakable flavour of this land, with iconic products such as San Simón da Costa cheese and the capons that have made it famous. Come and enjoy the heart of A Terra Chá.
To see
Vilalba’s heritage tells the story of a land inhabited since ancient times, as shown by the remains found in the Pena Grande rock shelter, once a refuge for Palaeolithic hunters. The Torre dos Andrade, now home to a Parador de Turismo, rises above the town as a symbol of its medieval past. Around it, the historic centre preserves the traditional layout of streets, squares and elegant buildings such as the Church of Santa María. Across the municipality, beautiful examples of its architectural heritage shape the landscape: churches, stone crosses, manor houses and farmsteads evoke the essence of rural Galicia, while the “habanera” schools recall the imprint of emigration and the enduring ties with the Americas. And don’t miss the surrounding neo-Gothic cemeteries, such as those of Goiriz or San Román— true architectural gems that reveal the extraordinary mastery of the local stonecutters. Let yourself be guided by the traces of time and discover a legacy that still beats in every stone.
Torre dos Andrade
A true symbol of Vilalba, the Andrade Tower is the only surviving remnant of the former walled castle, whose origins date back to the 11th century. It was rebuilt in the 15th century after the Irmandiñas Revolts, this time on an octagonal base designed to strengthen its defensive structure. Today, restored and incorporated into Vilalba’s Parador Nacional, it still rises above the town as an emblem of its history and noble past.
Jewels of Religious Heritage
Among the beautiful temples you can visit in Vilalba, be sure not to miss, in the capital, the Church of Santa María, built in the 19th century over an earlier Romanesque temple; the Church of San Simón da Costa, in the parish that gives its name to the renowned San Simón cheese and known as the cathedral of A Terra Chá for its imposing presence; and the Church of Santa María de Carballido, which retains a special charm with its freestanding bell tower and walled atrium.
Pena Grande Rock Shelter
The Pena Grande rock shelter, in Santaballa, is the most important Palaeolithic site in Galicia. Beneath this large rocky overhang, groups of nomadic hunters once camped, using its natural protection to watch over passing herds and survive in a harsh climate. It forms part of Vilalba’s Archaeological Route, a trail that links sites such as the Medoña de Estelo, the Pedra Chantada menhir, the hillforts of Codesido and Gondaísque, and the necropolis of Roza das Modias.
Liga Santaballesa
Built in the early 20th century thanks to Vilalba emigrants in Cuba, the Escuela Habanera of Santaballa is a symbol of their enduring ties to their roots. Inside, it houses a small museum that recreates the old school, while next to it a botanical garden brings together plant species from both Galicia and Cuba. Nearby, you can also visit a reconstructed dolmen and a recreated Iron Age hillfort settlement.
Discover the jewels
of Neo-Gothic
architecture
Next to the parish church of Santiago de Goiriz, at the foot of the Camino de Santiago, stands its cemetery, a remarkable example of the neo-Gothic architecture typical of A Terra Chá. Declared a Historic and Artistic Monument, its pinnacles, pointed arches and stone crosses reflect the artistic sensitivity and masterful craftsmanship of the local stonemasons, including the renowned Carboeira family of San Román. Across the municipality you can find other cemeteries of equal beauty, such as those of San Román or San Xoán de Alba.
Forests, rivers &
healing waters
Nature in Vilalba unfolds in open landscapes, quiet rivers and woodlands that invite you to slow down. The Madalena River, which runs through the town, shapes a vibrant natural setting with its recreational area and the Paseo dos Soños —an evocative trail where art and landscape come together through a literary route that pays tribute to notable writers and figures from A Terra Chá.
Just a short distance away, visit the Charca do Alligal, a thermal pool of iron-rich waters that rise at a constant temperature and blend into the scenery among meadows and centuries-old trees. In contrast, Monte Monseivane rises as the highest point in the municipality, offering panoramic views over A Terra Chá and the chance to spot wild horses roaming freely. A network of places where nature invites you to pause, breathe and simply be.
Madalena River as it flows through Vilalba
Muíño do Rañego
An old mill restored as an ethnographic space on the banks of the Madalena River. The surrounding area, set up as a recreational spot with stone tables and benches, invites you to enjoy the sound of the water and the peaceful landscape. The Ruta dos Soños also starts from this point.
Ponte Vella de Martiñán
Following the route of the Camino de Santiago, you’ll come across natural spots of exceptional beauty. One such place is the 17th-century Ponte Vella de Martiñán, set in a lovely riverside landscape with picnic tables where you can rest or pause for a break along your journey.
Paseo dos Soños
On the banks of the Madalena River, right in the heart of Vilalba, the Paseo dos Soños offers a peaceful 3-km walk
along wooden walkways, old mills and lush riverside vegetation. Along the route, every 100 metres, the sculptures of the “literary hectometre” pay tribute to writers and artists from A Terra Chá, turning this walk into a meeting point between nature and culture.
The care of water
At the Charca do Alligal, water rises warm between the stones. Its iron-rich springs emerge at a constant temperature of around 23 °C throughout the year and have long been known for their therapeutic properties. They invite you to pause, immerse yourself and let nature do the rest. Very close by, a renowned hotel-spa offers a complete wellbeing experience, with thermal circuits, treatments using natural products and the calm of the A Terra Chá countryside as the perfect companion. If you’re looking to reconnect with yourself, time slows down here and your body finds its own rhythm.
Vilalba beats to the rhythm of its traditions, where culture, music and celebration are at the heart of local life. Throughout the summer, every parish holds its traditional patron festivities, and in the town centre, the celebrations of Santa María and San Ramón fill Vilalba with joy at the end of August during the popular Xira Campestre. And if you’re passionate about top independent music, in April the FIV transforms Vilalba into one of the must-visit destinations on Spain’s concert calendar.
Vilalba beats to the rhythm of its traditions, where culture, music and celebration are at the heart of local life. Throughout the summer, every parish holds its traditional patron festivities, and in the town centre, the celebrations of Santa María and San Ramón fill Vilalba with joy at the end of August during the popular Xira Campestre. And if you’re passionate about top independent music, in April the FIV transforms Vilalba into one of the must-visit destinations on Spain’s concert calendar.
Enjoy our flavours
Taste San Simón da Costa cheese, a delicious birch-smoked cheese that celebrates its popularity every spring with a large fair where you can taste it at its best. In December, visit the Feira do Capón de Vilalba and discover a tradition that marks the beginning of Christmas. Let yourself be tempted by local meats, honey, chestnuts and artisan breads —and don’t leave without trying the famous Roscón de Vilalba. Here you can enjoy a wide and high-quality gastronomic offer. A cuisine that blends past and present: time-honoured recipes and contemporary creations that share the same secret—authentic, local products from A Terra Chá.
San Simón da Costa Cheese Fair
On the Northern Route of the Camino de Santiago
The Northern Way of the Camino de Santiago crosses Vilalba over two stages: the one arriving from Abadín, ending in the town’s capital, and the one that departs from Vilalba towards Baamonde, travelling through the heart of A Terra Chá.
Along the way, pilgrims encounter quiet villages, rural churches, stone bridges and landscapes that reflect the everyday life of the Galician countryside. In Vilalba, rest is guaranteed: the town offers hostels and all kinds of accommodation, including the Parador de Vilalba, located inside the historic Torre dos Andrade.
Come and discover Vilalba
Come and discover Vilalba
