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Baiona Information


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Baiona is a town and municipality in the province of Pontevedra, autonomous community of GaliciaSpain.
It's a tourist town with a medieval historical center situated by the outlet of the Vigo Bay. Its population of just over 11,000 rises to around 45,000 in the summer, if one includes tourists. Since it is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago 30,000 hikers also visit every year. Other than tourism the major economic activities revolve around fishing.



It was founded in 140 BC by Diomedes of Aetolia. Throughout its history it has had several names including Stuciana, Abóriga, Balcagia, and Erizana. In 1201 King Alfonso IX of Leon granted the town a royal charter. In 1370, King Ferdinand I of Portugal, who was proclaimed King of Castile took up residence in the town and established his seat there until being forced to return to Portugal. In 1474, the Baiona was seized by Don Pedro Alvarez de Soutomaior, also known as Pedro Madruga, Count of Caminha. On March 1, 1493, the Pinta, one of the ships from Columbus' voyage to the New World returned to Europe and arrived in Baiona, making the town's port the first to receive news of the discovery of America. A replica of the ship can be visited, and the event is celebrated every year.
In 1585 the inhabitants of Baiona repelled an attempt to take the town by the privateer Francis Drake. Five years later Philip II of Spain beat the pirates that were laying the Galician coast to waste with a fleet of 98 vessels and 17,000 soldiers.




Places of interest

Parador of Baiona. Within the official Spanish category of Paradores of Spain (hotels with a historical and architectural value), Baiona is a good example of well-preserved history. Surrounded by a stone wall, on a small peninsula, the old hotel and restaurant overlooks the entrance of the Rias Baixas and the Cies Islands.[5]

Monte Real Yacht Club Baiona. The yacht club, founded in 1965, is next to the Parador. The club is host to international regattas and home to a sailing school, bringing maritime tourists to the city.[6]

Monterreal Castle is a castle in Ría de Vigo and the valley of Miñor (Val Miñor), GaliciaSpain.
Construction of Monterreal Castle began in the 12th century and was completed in the 16th century, and now serves as a tourist attraction. Three of the castle's towers are preserved: the Reloj tower, the Tenaza tower with a heptagonal base and the Príncipe tower. The first appearance of the castle in record dates from the year 60, when Julius Caesar conquered Baiona. Apart from the Romans, the Visigoths and Muslims also left their marks in the Monterreal Castle, whose name was given by the Catholic Monarchs.
The Castle is defended by the Puerta del Sol, a ramp with a lifting bridge and the three large towers.


Historical Castle of Monterreal

The Castle of Monterreal, in the Galician village of Baiona is one of those historic buildings that leave you amazed. Today, it is a luxury hotel. It is the Parador de Baiona. Let’s discover a little bit more about its history. The more you read, the more you’ll want to book a stay there!
The whole castle and its surrounding occupy a total of 18 hectares. It is a place where history and legends meet. The construction of this castle dates around the XII century. Not just the castle, but the fortress and walls that surround it and used to protect it are part of the impressiveness of the monument.

Why did this castle and this location become so important? It has been home for many different cultures and civilizations and it has always been a strategic spot in Historical events.

In the year 1493, Baiona became the first village to know about the discovery of America as one of the caravels travelling back to Spain arrived there.
The Catholic Kings used this place as a defence and control of this maritime and territory of the Rías Baixas and they also expanded its use so that there were more families living inside the walls of the castle.
During the XV and XVII centuries, the castle and the village lived a splendorous time when trade activities started to increase and La Coruña and Baiona were the only maritime ports with international trade relationships.

The Castle of Monterreal is also famous for its three main towers: The Torre del Reloj, which has a hidden bell that was supposedly used to alarm when there were enemies’ attacks coming. The Torre de la Tenaza, a defence tower; and the Torre del Príncipe. This last tower is the oldest one and there are so many stories and legends about it, but the most extended is the one that says it was used as a lighthouse for the boats.
Time went by and in the XIX it stopped being used and lost its military activity. Later on, the Parador de Baiona was finally inaugurated in the year 1966.
This building was chosen because of its historical importance, which have made out of the hotel and interesting place to stay at and visit in Spain. Apart from its historic background, it is placed in an idyllic location. It hides charming corners and cosy and intimate bedrooms, so beloved by every guest at the Parador. The views you can admire from the Parador de Baiona are just so beautiful: The Deep blue ocean with the Cíes Islands on the horizon. So inspiring!

Moreover, the restaurant at the Parador has a wide and delicious gastronomic offer for you to delight in. The Parador de Baiona is an exclusive hotel in the south of the Rías Baixas. Everyone who stays there falls in love with the hotel but so much with he views and the location too.
Don’t you want to spend some wonderful days in such a marvellous location?.



Parador de Baiona

In the southern Rías Baixas region, protected from the open sea by a lovely bay, stands Monterreal Peninsula, where the Parador de Baiona awaits. The fortress offers up its walls for a stroll, or to relax and enjoy a beverage by the sea, and magical sunsets where the Cíes Islands in the distance beckon, inviting you to visit their cliffs, beaches and dunes, exploring their underwater depths and virgin trails.
Elegance is a key feature of every room of the Parador. The stately function rooms, spacious guest rooms with sea views and spectacular stone staircase that welcomes you at the entrance are just a few examples of the majesty of this medieval fortress. The Parador de Baiona offers perfect function rooms for your celebrations, with space for up to 400 people. An intimate ambiance, exquisite décor, well-kept gardens and an idyllic landscape make this a truly unique spot. 

If you enjoy hiking or love water sports, this is your Parador. The Baiona Royal Yacht Club is located inside the walled area of the town, offering the opportunity for sailing or nautical tourism. You won't want to leave Baiona without walking the Monte do Boi path and the Serra da Groba mountains, without seeing the sunset from Cape Silleiro or without visiting the Virgen da Roca viewpoint.

In Baiona you will find peace and quiet, as well as an urban environment. This is the ideal destination if you are looking for a lively atmosphere on summer nights; you can enjoy a drink at terrace cafés by the sea and many popular nightspots. The regional cuisine will be a pleasure for your senses. Try the fish and seafood, they are magnificent.
Baiona is also known as Villa de la Arribada (Port of Entry), as it was the first town in Europe to learn of the discovery of America. To the south, the Rías Baixas region offers you spectacular locations, including Oia Monastery, built atop the rocks by the sea, forever gazing out at the horizon and splashed by salt water.
The fishing village of A Guarda is only a few kilometers away. It is crowned by the Celtic fortified settlement of Santa Tecla, from which you can get a view of the spectacular mouth of the Miño River, where Galicia and Portugal meet. And if you have got this far, you might even feel like heading south to Portugal's Costa Verde region, where the beaches are endless and pine woods embrace the sea.


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