Civil Architecture

Past and future converge on Lalín. Medieval bridges of stone like " Ponte Taboada " or Ponte dos Cabalos" coexist with the modern glass architecture of “Castro Tecnolóxico”. The first astronomic observatory of Galicia is also considered in the scientific vanguard . It was constructed by Don Ramon M ª Aller in 1924, and, nowadays, there are guided visits and activities of sky observation.

As example of industrial architecture, the building of Rodís's paper mill, founded around year 1850 that nowadays is a private housing.

In Lalín Municipality there are 30 Mainhouses, constructions most typical of the Galician nobility. Some of them, without its inhabitants, stand the test of time with difficulty, looking to “Pazo de Liñares” that rised like the phoenix and shows all its magnificence to visitors. Others preserve its function of housing, or they turned into rural establishments that receive its privileged guests.

To enjoy popular architecture, it is enought just to walk along rural areas and to admire functional constructions as mills of water, barns, washers or stone structures. All of them create the soul of our landscape.

Taboada Bridge (X Century)

This stone bridge was part of the way known “The Royal Road”, which connected the cities of Santiago and Ourense. Probably, it has replaced older bridges built at the same location. Taboada´s Bridge takes its name from these previous wooden bridges (Pons Tabulata, ponte de táboas (boards bridge), ponte taboada).

 

It has only one round arch and its height is nine metres over water level.
It was built using two rocks that narrow the course of the Deza´s river. Besides, bridge´s road is preserved too.
The bridge dates from period 950, which is the year 912. It´s possible to see it on the engraving made of near rock´s flat face. The engraving, only in part lost, was recovered for two investigators, Francisco Rubiá and César Gómez. It was possible thank to a carbon copy made for D. Carlos Taboada Rada, Liñares´ Manor house lord, on 1890. In it can be read: “LaVORABERVNT isTA PONTE In ERA DCCCCL eT FVIT PERFECTA pRIDIE KL DS APIES” (This bridge was engraving on 950 and was finished on 31th march)
 

In addition to historic and architectural value, this bridge is placed on a beautiful natural environment, so peaceful and unique you can feel like time stopped a few centuries ago.
 

Nowadays The Silver Way and The Winter´s pilgrims way pass through this bridge. Both routes share the same direction after passing by A Laxe´s hostel, in Bendoiro´s parish.

Coordinates
42.679491, -8.209916
Imagen Taboada Bridge (X Century)