Travel guide - Vigo - Vigo - Spain. Vigo city, Spain - how to get there, what to see, main attractions, reviews from tourists Vigo Spain

Vigo is the largest city in the autonomous region of Galicia and is located in northwestern Spain, 30 kilometers from the border with Portugal. The city is located near the mouth of the river of the same name. Today, Vigo can hardly be called one of the main tourist destinations in Spain, as it has a reputation as an industrial city. But recently, Vigo, which has become the Spanish sea gate to the Atlantic, is gaining more and more popularity among tourists.

History of the city of Vigo

In ancient times, a Roman settlement was founded on the site of present-day Vigo. During the Middle Ages, the settlement was constantly raided by Vikings. In the 16th century, Vigo became a small town that was constantly attacked by pirates. Francis Drake almost razed it to the ground during another raid. In the second half of the 17th century, defensive fortifications were erected in the city. Vigo was captured by the British in 1719, and in 1809 Napoleon's army entered the city. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Vigo developed rapidly thanks to its thriving trade and seaport.

Vigo on the world map

Sights of Vigo

The historic city center is located next to the seaport and the old fishing quarter of Berbes. There are many bars in the area where you can try Spanish tapas.

In this area is St. Mary's Cathedral, built in the neoclassical style. Around it there are 4 squares: de Pedra, Almeida, Princess and Constitucion. The squares are lined with many buildings with galleries of arches on the ground floors and beautiful balconies on the upper floors.


Garcia Barbon Theater

A few blocks from the cathedral is the Garcia Barbon Theater. Built in 1925, the building is considered the most beautiful in the city.


Observation towers of the Kastro fortress

While traveling around the city, tourists can visit the observation towers of the Kastro Fortress. They offer excellent views of the city, river, port and Islas Cies islands. The fortress was built in the 17th century during the war with neighboring Portugal. Today there are beautiful gardens and walking areas on its territory.

The heart of Vigo is Piazza di Spagna. In its center is the sculptural group Los Cabalos, which includes several figures of horses reaching into the sky.


Verboom Museum

Vigo has a number of interesting museums. This is the Verboom Museum, dedicated to human communications, and the Museum of the Sea, and the Ethnographic Museum, and an interactive museum, the exhibitions of which are dedicated to the environment. The city also has a museum of modern art.

In the city park of El Castro you can see a large cross made of stone, which can be reached by a monumental staircase. From the observation decks of the park there is a stunning view of the sea bay of Vigo.


Monument to Jules Verne

In 2005, a monument to the famous writer Jules Verne was erected near the building of the Nautical Club. This honor was given by the townspeople in connection with the mention of their city in one of the chapters of the novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

Population of Vigo

Vigo's population is predominantly Spanish. At the moment, together with its suburbs, the population of Vigo is 440,000 people.

Famous natives of Vigo include the landscape painter Serafin Avendaño and the actress and model Laura Martinez.

Climate and ecology

Vigo has an oceanic climate with very high rainfall. Winter and spring are usually rainy here, but in summer there is little precipitation and this time of year is very sunny. The temperature in summer is comfortable and rarely rises above +24 0 C.

The ecology of the industrial city and the largest port in Europe, for obvious reasons, will not be at its best.


Summary

In addition to relaxing on the beautiful beaches, Vigo will offer its guests the romance of an old Spanish city with the architecture characteristic of this country and a number of natural beauties and attractions.

Vigo is the largest city in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia. It is located at the mouth of the Vigo River, among wooded hills, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The shores of Vigo Bay are connected to each other by the famous Ponte de Rande suspension bridge. Nature itself took care of protecting these places: on the one hand, the city is covered by the sea and a group of islands, and on the other, by mountain ranges. Currently, Vigo is considered the safest place on the coast during severe storms; it is here that small ships take shelter from bad weather.

  • Area: 109 km²;
  • Time zone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
  • Population: 229,100.

A little history

The city was first mentioned as a small fishing village in 1097. Over time, the favorable geographical location and the presence of a nearby bay suitable for navigation played a role and contributed to the creation of a seaport in the settlement. Today Vigo is home to a transatlantic seaport and has its own ship repair and shipyards. At the moment it is one of the main centers of shipbuilding and the main fishing center in Europe. In the port of the city there are warehouses of the fishing company Pescanova, which is the largest in the world. The importance of this port was confirmed by the opening of the headquarters of the European Fisheries Control Agency in Vigo.

general information

The city is quite populous - the permanent population is about 300 thousand people - with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Huge cruise ships dock here with masses of travelers attracted by the Islas Cies islands located in the bay, which belong to the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia. The archipelago, covering an area of ​​more than 400 hectares, contains popular holiday destinations with ideal sandy beaches, considered among the best in the world, and a protected area where gray herons, cormorants and gulls build their nests. You can get to Islas Cies at any time of the day by tourist yacht or ferry; in the evening and at night, staying in the protected area is prohibited.

Weather

The region is dominated by a mild Mediterranean climate, producing cool weather in the winter months and warm weather in the summer. December and January are considered the coldest - the air at this time warms up to an average of +11...+12⁰C. Moreover, the maximum amount of precipitation also occurs in these months. Summer in this area is dry and moderately warm, with maximum temperatures of +24…+26⁰C in July-August.

Thanks to its natural and climatic conditions, fans of surfing and sailing come to Vigo. Also here are the official representative offices of large yacht clubs: Liceo Miritimo de Buzas and Real Club Notico de Vigo.

Transport

Getting to the city is not difficult - it has its own airport serving both domestic and international flights, a railway station and a developed network of intercity bus routes.

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What to see

In addition to the famous Islas Cies islands, Vigo has other attractions. Almost the entire city is represented by interesting and original modern buildings, combining different architectural styles and trends. Among other things, there are a lot of sculptures and statues made in both abstract and realistic styles: a composition of rearing bronze horses; “Monument to Labor”, depicting powerfully built fishermen pulling nets from the sea; The visiting card of the city is the sculpture “El Sireno”, which is a man-fish and symbolizes the union of man and the sea.

Fans of ancient monuments and attractions also have something to see. The ancient and medieval buildings of Vigo were destroyed by numerous fires arising from internecine wars, pirate raids, and various epidemics. The historical center of the city today is represented by the Casco Velho district, formed in the 16th century, with narrow, winding and cobblestone streets.

In the southern part of the city, on a hill 140 meters high, the Castro fortress was built in the 17th century to protect and defend the city from Portuguese troops. It has survived to this day in a dilapidated state and today it is surrounded by a beautiful park with a lot of greenery, decorated with sculptures and fountains. From the observation deck of the fortress, a stunning view of the bay and the outskirts of the city opens; almost every tourist takes memorable photos against this picturesque background.

Vigo's main cathedral is the Church of St. Mary. The first temple was erected in the 12th century, then the cathedral was rebuilt several times, and because of a nearby gunpowder warehouse that exploded in 1809, it was completely dismantled. The new church, designed in neoclassical style, was built in 1838. It is this building of the 19th century that has survived to this day.

Lovers of cultural entertainment can visit one of the museums in Vigo: the Museum of the Sea, the Ethnographic Museum, the Verboom - Science Museum, MARCO - the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Nature with interactive exhibitions and the Quiñones de Leon Castle Museum.

You can admire nature in the city's largest park, surrounding the Art Museum, located in the Quiñones de León Castle building. And on a hill about 240 meters high, there is the only zoo in all of Galicia, whose vast area is home to about 600 animals.

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Sights of Vigo. The most important and interesting sights of Vigo - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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    There are enough museums in Vigo: the Museum of the Sea, the MARCO Museum of Contemporary Art, the Verboom Science Museum and, of course, the wonderful Quiñones de Leon, where you can first admire Goya for free and then take a walk in the best park in the city. But still, the main attractions of Vigo are not inside buildings, but on the streets, in the port, off the coast and even on the islands.

    Puerta del Sol is the center and heart of Vigo, where the Old Town meets Ensanche. Here you will find museums, foundations, cultural centers and the mermaid sculpture, which has become the hallmark of the city. "El Sireno", the fish man, was created by the modern sculptor Francisco Leiro and represents a metaphorical expression of the union of man and the sea, that is, what Vigo has been based on for many centuries.

    Vigo's coastal district, Buzas, has its own distinct atmosphere: here the city's fast pace slows down, and tourists feel transported back in time. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and ending up on the Buzas promenade, you can admire one of the best views of the Vigo estuary. Plus, there are a lot of lively, pleasant terraces, where it is customary to contemplate the sunset while enjoying seafood or an empanada.

    On Oyster Street it is customary to do this: you buy oysters directly from merchants on the street and sit down next to them at long tables to eat them. No Michelin stars, but excellent taste and freshness.

    Vigo's main shopping street is Principe, named after the son of Isabella II. Here you can find a maximum of goods in one place: clothes, handicrafts, waffles, shoes, jewelry... If choice is important to you, this is the place for you. If price is important to you, go to the A-Pedra market, which is nearby in the Old Town. If fish is important to you, go to the O-Progress market, where it is sold at retail.

    After visiting the market in the morning, you should settle down on Oyster Street (“Calle de las Ostras”) by lunchtime. This is one of the main tourist attractions of the modern city: the entire street from beginning to end is one continuous restaurant. Here it is customary to do this: you buy oysters directly from vendors on the street and sit next to them at long tables to eat them. No Michelin stars, but the taste and freshness are excellent.

    The best beach in Vigo (if you don’t take into account the incomparable Cies archipelago and its “Rodas”) is considered to be Samil beach. White sand and the silhouette of islands on the horizon perfectly complement the fact that Vigo's mild winters and warm summers make it the sunniest and least rainy region of Galicia.

    If you don't cross the famous Rande Bridge, your Vigo experience won't be complete. The bridge offers wonderful views of the San Simon Islands, the Cies archipelago and the Vigo estuary in general. The bridge, opened in 1981, is crossed by about 50 thousand cars every year, and its appearance makes it one of the most recognizable in Spain.

    • Where to stay: In the ancient and invariably picturesque cities of Northern Spain: in democratic hotels of both religious and student Santiago de Compostela or in hotels “with history” in the beautiful Pamplona. The authentic Basque Country invites you to settle in Bilbao, surrounded by green hills, or in the “pearl of the Cantabrian coast” - elegant San Sebastian. Santander perfectly combines magnificent beaches and a lot of historical monuments, besides, it’s a stone’s throw from here to the caves of Altamira, and Rioja awaits connoisseurs of wine and ecotourism.
    • What to see: The end point of the Way of St. James, the main cathedral

The sunny country, one of the three most visited, offers a wonderful holiday that can be enjoyed every second. Beautiful beaches, warm sea, delicious dishes and an exciting excursion program - all this will appeal to travelers from different parts of our planet. Possessing a rich culture, it is not for nothing that cheerful Spain is called a mecca for holidaymakers.

Vigo, located in the north-west of the state, in the bay of the same name, does not have a large number of historical attractions, but it will delight you with interesting architectural works that wonderfully complement its appearance.

Industrial zone and tourist center

The major city of Galicia (the least visited region of the country), the first mention of which dates back to the 11th century, quickly grew from a small fishing village into a huge seaport where luxury liners moored. Its name comes from the Latin Vicus, which translates as “winner.” Vigo has grown rapidly over several centuries and has undergone many changes in layout.

Previously, few foreign travelers knew about it, but now the situation is changing for the better. The ancient settlement was appreciated by tourists, who were hospitably received by Spain, which admires its beauty. Vigo, which has preserved traditions and customs dating back centuries, resembles a typical port city. And at the same time, it is Galicia's leading industrial zone: it is home to shipbuilding and automobile factories, and the main employer of the entire area is Peugeot Citroën.

Recently, the tourism business has played an important role in economic well-being: every year Vigo is visited by thousands of guests from other countries to spend their holidays on luxurious beaches and admire the main attractions. Stretching along the coast, it is a delightful sight. A lively commercial center where nature has created ideal conditions for relaxation, it offers a variety of leisure options.

Beaches in Vigo (Spain)

The shipping center is surrounded by 45 wonderful beaches, ranked by The Guardian as one of the top ten in the world for their ideal water and sand quality. Unfortunately, they are not very well known to tourists. Quiet and calm ones will appeal to those who dream of solitude, and lovers of active recreation who come to the city of Vigo (Spain) will choose popular corners, such as Samil or Argazada. These are huge beaches with numerous shops and restaurants, equipped with parking lots and water sports equipment.

The Islas Cies area, which consists of three islands that block the cold winds of the Atlantic, is a popular holiday destination for Spaniards and tourists. And the shallow, snow-white beach of the island of Ilha Norte, recognized as the country’s national pride, is considered the best in Galicia. This amazing place is ideal for families with children and is close to a national park where you can have a wonderful time.

Casco Vello

Acquaintance with the city of Vigo (Spain) begins with a tour of the historical part, located next to the harbor. There are luxurious palaces in the Galician style and very modest houses built during the Middle Ages. Tourists walking through the labyrinth of cobbled streets and looking at ancient buildings feel as if time has stopped here. Wandering through the picturesque area, immersing you in the distant past, you can explore the Cathedral of Santa Maria, made in the neoclassical style. The first temple on this site appeared seven centuries ago, and since then the structure has been rebuilt many times, radically changing its appearance.

The Royal Street, which runs down to the first port, is the main street in Casco Vello and is lined with beautifully preserved fishermen's huts.

Unusual architectural appearance

Colorful Vigo experienced rapid economic growth two centuries ago, which affected its architectural appearance. This is one of the few settlements famous not only for its historical part, but also for the “new” Old Town, where mansions were built in the traditional Galician style, which were decorated with beautiful facades. And a striking example is the most luxurious building - the Garcia Barbon Theater, built in the 20s of the last century. This is a real palace of art and an important cultural center.

It is curious that the “new” Old Town does not occupy a specific place on the map of the Spanish pearl, and tourists will not be able to find it. Richly decorated mansions are scattered throughout all the streets, and on each of them there is an architectural masterpiece. And the closer the real historical area is, the more of them you will encounter on the way of vacationers.

Industrial Center Center

But the center of the modern city is considered to be (Plaza de España), which is of interest to vacationers. At its heart are the works of a famous modern sculptor, executed in a variety of styles - from abstract to realistic. The monument depicting wild horses rushing into the sky is considered a symbol of Vigo (Spain), whose attractions are few but very interesting.

What else to see?

The Vigo embankment, turned into an open-air art gallery, will delight tourists with sculptural compositions, and numerous cafes are always waiting for their visitors.

In the south of the city stands the Castro Castle, which appeared in the 17th century, at a time when Spain was at war with Portugal. Vigo was constantly attacked by British sailors, and it became necessary to protect it from attack. Now on the territory of the defensive structure, from the observation deck of which stunning panoramas open, there are gardens and walking paths.

Scented with fishy scents, Pedra Market is a gourmet paradise where fresh and prepared gourmet delicacies are sold.

The charming city is the real Spain. Vigo, untouched by mass tourism, will surprise you with its friendly atmosphere, amazing landscapes, and fishing areas, which makes it an attractive destination for vacationers.

It is surrounded by wooded hills at the mouth of the Vigo River, at the entrance to the bay of the same name, whose banks are connected by the Ponte de Rande suspension bridge. Since ancient times, nature has provided protection for Vigo: on one side the city is covered by the sea and a group of islands, on the other by mountains. Vigo remains the safest place on the local coast, where small ships can take refuge during the frequent storms in these parts. The shores of Vigo are a famous anchorage for boats and yachts.

City `s history

The name of the city has Latin roots: translated from Latin vicus - “village”. In Gallic and Spanish it sounds like "Bigo".
The city was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century. BC e. as the settlement of Vicus Scaporum. During the era of Ancient Rome, it was one of the main ports of the Roman Empire on the Atlantic Ocean. Little in today's Vigo reminds of those times: almost all the buildings of the Romans were destroyed during numerous wars and Viking raids.
During the Middle Ages, Vigo experienced decline and was a small seaside village surrounded by larger cities. Only a few dozen people lived in it.
In the XVI-XVII centuries. Vigo was repeatedly attacked and sacked. The most catastrophic consequences were the raids of the English corsair Francis Drake (1540-1596). Twice, in 1585 and 1589, pirates sacked the city and burned it.
The inhabitants of Vigo bravely defended themselves (the defense detachments were organized by a union of local shipowners), and sometimes they managed to force the sea robbers to retreat. Impressed by the heroic qualities of the townspeople, the Spanish king even granted them the right to attack “enemy merchant ships” themselves, in other words, to rob the British and Dutch.
Subsequently, the city was attacked by ships of the Turkish squadron, and in 1617 by Algerian pirates. By that time, Vigo, having received privileges from the royal family, had become a strategically important Spanish port, and in order to protect it, in 1656 King Philip IV (1605-1665) ordered the construction of fortress walls, fragments of which have survived to this day.
On October 23, 1702, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the famous naval battle between Anglo-Dutch troops and the French and Spanish fleet took place in Vigo Bay. The battle was called the “Battle of Vigo Bay” (in Spanish - Batalha de Rande).
The British learned that there were Spanish galleons in the harbor, loaded with unheard-of wealth: there was 3,400 tons of silver alone, and another 200 tons of gold, silk, porcelain, pearls, spices... The Spaniards managed to transport almost all the valuables inland when the combined fleet of 30 English and 20 Dutch ships under the command of Sir George Rooke (1650-1709) broke through the log barriers blocking the entrance to the bay. Despite the fact that the Spaniards began to sink their galleons, several of them still fell to the enemy. In memory of this event, a monument of three authentic huge anchors was erected in Vigo.
The geographical position of the port and resort of Vigo determines the mildness of the local climate: Vigo is protected from winds from the Atlantic by the Snes Islands. The coast near Vigo has some of the best beaches in Spain. The oldest part of the city in Europe is the port area of ​​Verbes, with its narrow medieval streets and arcades.
The city of Vigo developed rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. It has been constantly rebuilt, following current architectural fashions, as a result of which the local layout appears disorderly (this is unusual for other cities in Galicia). True, this does not deprive Vigo of her beauty.
There is a transatlantic seaport and shipbuilding and ship repair yards here: it is one of the centers of European shipbuilding. In addition, Vigo is the first important fishing center not only in Spain, but throughout Europe. The port houses 2/5 of the country's fishing fleet tonnage and is the base of the world's largest fishing company, Pescanova. The ships go fishing in the open sea, where sardines and tuna, lobsters and shellfish are found - the main raw materials of large fish canneries. Based on the importance of Vigo as a fishing port, the European Community established the headquarters of the European Fisheries Control Agency here.
The obvious amenities of Vigo Bay have contributed to the city's emergence as a water sports center as well. Here are the residences of two large yacht clubs: Real Club Notico de Vigo and Liceo Miritimo de Buzas. The clubs cemented Vigo's reputation as a "sailor's paradise" by hosting the Atlantic Week, Rias Bayas, Vila de Buzas and De Solitarios Dos regattas. Other popular events in the life of the city are the international championship in fishing for cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus) and the festival "De la Queimada".
Vigo made a special contribution to the culture of all of Spain after the fall of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1892-1975). In the 1980s The cultural movement “Muvida Vigueza”, caused by the “air of freedom,” arose in the city. The movement was based on local punk and new wave music groups. The local daily newspaper Faro de Vigo, the oldest publication in Spain, published since 1853, plays its role in preserving the special cultural atmosphere in Vigo.
The historical center of Vigo is the Casco Velho (Old Town), which is located between the O Castro hill and Cape A Laxe. This area was formed back in the 16th century, after all the previous medieval buildings were destroyed by pirates and fires. The streets here are narrow and winding, paved with paving stones.
Vigo is also interesting because it is home to the only zoo in Galicia, which is home to about 600 species of animals.
Residents love their city very much. Thousands of people who once lived or were born here come here every year from different parts of the world on August 1st. On this day, a holiday is celebrated here dedicated to the “Crucifixion in the apse” - the image of Christ de la Victoria (“Christ the Victorious”). Since 1680 it has been the symbol of Vigo. According to legend, the crucifixion was revealed to sailors on the open ocean, and the inhabitants of Vigo believe that it was thanks to him that the occupation of the city by Napoleonic troops did not last long, and Vigo then became the first liberated city in Spain.

general information

Location: northwestern Iberian Peninsula.

Administrative affiliation: province of Pontevedra, autonomous region of Galicia, Spain.
Languages: Spanish, Galician.

Ethnic composition: Spaniards, Galicians.

Religion: Catholicism.

Currency unit: euro.
Largest river: Vigo.

Administrative division: 21 parokia (district).

Major airport: Vigo Peinador International Airport.

Numbers

Area: 109.06 km2.

Population: 297,355 people. (2012).
Population density: 2726.5 people/km 2 .

Distance: 613 km from Madrid.

Climate and weather

Subtropical oceanic.

Average January temperature: +8-9°C.

Average temperature in July: +19.4°C.

Average annual precipitation: 1909 mm.
Relative humidity: 70-80%.

Economy

Transport node.

Transatlantic seaport.
Industry: food (fish canning), shipbuilding, ship repair, automotive, chemical, aluminum.

Fishing.
Servant Sphere
: tourist, trade, transport.

Attractions

Natural: Cies Islands in Vigo Bay, Atlantic Islands National Park.
Architectural: Old town, fishing quarter Barrio del Berbes, Castro fortress, Ponte de Rande suspension bridge, García Barbón theater (1025), Hermitage de la Guia, squares: Royal, Spain, America, Solar Gate , Prince Street, Puerta del Sol, observation towers of Monte del Castro and Monte de la Guilla, fishermen's port of Puerte Pesquero, San Sebastian Castle, old City Hall (Casa de Culture Gallega - House of the Galician culture), A Pedra quarter, Mercado de la Pedra market, Edificio Bonin (“House of Bonin”, 1910), Edificio Mulder (“House of Mulder”, 1910), Casa de Seta (Casa -de Arines, XV century), Casas de Manuel Bárcena Franco (“Houses of Manuel Bárcena Franco”, 1879).
Cult: Church of San Salvador de Corusio (XII century), Church of Santa Maria de Castrelos (1216), Church of Santiago de Bemb Rive (XII-XIII centuries), Church of Santiago de Vigo (1896), Cathedral of Santa Maria de Vigo (19th century).
Historical: historical center of Casco Velho, monument “Three Anchors”, Castro de Bigo (ruins of ancient Vigo), Fort Castro.
Cultural: Castle Museum of Quinenes de Leon, City Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Maritime Museum.
Others: zoo, beaches Samil, Carril, Canido, Vao.

Curious facts

■ The beach of Ilha Norte island in Vigo Bay was included in the top ten best in the world by the British newspaper The Guardian.
■ Islas Cies Archipelago (three islands in Vigo Bay with an area of ​​433 hectares) - a conservation area, a nesting site for gulls, cormorants and gray herons.
■ The building of the Museum of Modern Art in Vigo previously housed a prison and barracks.
■ Master hat makers who have preserved the ancient traditions of making hats are called “sombrereiros” in Vigo.
■ The pirate Francis Drake was called El Drak ("The Dragon") by the Spaniards. In Latin, the pirate's name was Franciscus Draco ("Francisco the Dragon"). In English, the word Drake is translated as "drake", which is an obsolete form of the word "dragon".

■ After the “Battle of Vigo Bay,” rumors spread that the Spaniards took out only part of the gold, and the British did not capture all of it. Like, there were countless treasures left at the bottom. They were colorfully described in the novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” by the French science fiction writer Jules Berne (1828-1905). (While writing this work, the writer lived in the city's Universal Hotel.) However, in reality, repeated attempts to raise mythical riches from the bottom of the bay did not produce any results.
■ The local newspaper Faro de Vigo is one of the 13 most important newspapers in Spain and is the undoubted leader of the Galician press.
■ Thanks to its convenient port, Vigo was one of the main points through which Nazi Germany sent military aid to the nationalists during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939.
■ After the “Battle of Vigo Bay,” one of the captured galleons with a precious cargo was heading to England, but hit a reef and sank. From the part of the gold that the British did bring home, a batch of coins with the inscription “Vigo” was minted. A street in the British capital was also named after the battle. A large quantity of snuff, brought back among the trophies, was sold in London and gave rise to the English fashion for snuff.
■ The Atlantic Islands Park is the only national park in Galicia.
■ In the fishing village of Baiona there is an ancient fortress and a replica of the Pinta caravel, on which Christopher Columbus traveled to Europe after the discovery of America.
■ About 2,500 years ago, the Celts lived in what is now Galicia, and the ruins of their buildings have survived here to this day.