Mosteiro de Monfero

Rías Altas


Founded in 1134, this grand old monastery, standing in splendid isolation, was abandoned in the 19th century but has been partly restored. It has three cloisters, but most impressive is the domed 17th-century baroque church, with a very handsome western facade where alternating granite and slate panels form a chequerboard pattern between tall Corinthian columns.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rías Altas attractions

1. Mosteiro de Caaveiro

5.54 MILES

From the Parque Natural Fragas do Eume's visitors centre, a paved road leads 7.5km along the thickly forested valley to a stone footbridge, where a 500m…

2. Torreón dos Andrade

8.24 MILES

The stout, 18m-high Andrade Tower was erected in the late 14th century, probably by Fernán Pérez de Andrade 'O Boo' (The Good), who fought on the winning…

3. Igrexa de San Francisco

9.68 MILES

This 14th-century Gothic church contains many carved-stone sepulchres of Galician nobility. Don't miss the sepulchre of Fernán Pérez de Andrade 'O Boo' …

4. Old Town

9.71 MILES

Take Rúa Castro up from the central Praza Irmáns García Naveira to the handsome Praza da Constitución, flanked by a couple of appealing cafes along with…

5. Museo das Mariñas

9.73 MILES

Just around the corner from the main square, this museum peers into traditional Galician life with exhibits ranging from the mundane (old coffee mugs) to…

6. Praza dos Irmáns García Naveira

9.73 MILES

The sprawling main square is named after two Betanzos brothers whose statue stands in its centre. Juan and Jesús García Naveira made a fortune in…

7. Museo Arqueológico e Histórico

17.77 MILES

The 16th-century Castillo de San Antón, the fort set on its own little promontory guarding the entrance to the port, now houses the Museo Arqueológico e…

8. Museo Militar

17.92 MILES

The Military Museum showcases an assembly of arms, uniforms, banners and other military gear from the 18th to 20th centuries.