We arrived at Portomarin earlier than expected and had time to explore the town.
Portomarin is a compact Camino de Santiago stop rich in history: a valley village drowned by a reservoir, reborn on higher ground. This guide covers wandering the walkable town, tackling the iconic 52-step entry staircase, and discovering relocated Romanesque churches, practical visiting tips, and small local legends along the way.
> Map of Portomarin
About the Village town
The village town was formerly located in a valley. In 1960s, the waters of the Miño River flooded the old village town after a reservoir was built a few kilometers away. A new town was then built on higher grounds along the Miño River.
Initially, I had plans for night photography at the bridge or sunset golden hour at the highest point of Portomarín with the bridge as a backdrop. Wishes, oh wishes. Oh boy, I forgot to account for the possibility that I am not superhuman and it is just Day 2 of the Camino. My mental state has yet to accept that walking will be an everyday affair for the next 9 days.
Information
- Portomarin can be explored on foot.
- The village town can be explored within a day.
Staircase to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows
The Staircase to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Escalinata a Capela das Neves) is one of the important monuments built using the old medieval bridge (on one of its arches). Travelers can access to the village centre through it.
The materials from this historic step staircase were salvaged stones and architectural elements from the old medieval and Roman bridge after the original valley village was submerged.
These famous stone steps are the notorious 52-step climb that mark your official entry into town on Portomarin. Once you reach the top, the view makes it all worth it.
Information
Fact or Local Legend – According to local tradition, stopping to rest halfway up the staircase brings several years of bad luck in love.
Two alternative routes
- – Turn left onto Camiño de Santiago (a vehicle road) and walk along the Miño River where the road joined by Av. Chantada then turn right and walk up a slope of Av. Chantada.
- Turn left onto Camiño de Santiago (a vehicle road) and walk along the Miño River till you find a pedestrian slope on your left. This slope leads to the city center.
The Church of Saint Nicholas or Saint John
Note
- Daily Opening hours – 11:00hrs to 13:00hrs and 16:00hrs to 19:00hrs.
- Free entry.
- Attire yourself respectfully as this is a religious place.
- No offshoulders tops, no above knees skirts or shorts.
Church of Saint Pedro, Portomarin
Despite the interior of the church being closed to public unless contracted a visit with official guides, this historical monument remains significant to the town of Portomarin.
If you look closely, you’ll spot some markings on the bricks of the church or the bridge. These were made by locals back when they were moving these buildings from the old town up to higher ground.
Important monuments such as the Roman Bridge, St Peter’s church and St. John’s church had to be moved brick by brick to the new town. The old village town currently sits in the banks of the River. The old medieval bridge can still be spotted whenever the water subsides.