Ribadavia

Ribadavia
Basic data
Autonomous Community :	Galicia
Province :	Ourense
Coordinates	42 ° 17 ′ N , 8 ° 9 ′ W Coordinates: 42 ° 17 ′ N , 8 ° 9 ′ W
Height :	100 msnm
Area :	25.16 km²
Residents :	5,024 (Jan 1, 2019)
Population density :	199.68 inhabitants / km²
Postal code :	32400
Municipality number ( INE ):	32069
administration
Mayor :	Marcos Blanco Jorge ( PSdeG-PSOE )
Location of the city

Ribadavia is a city in northwestern Spain, in the province of Ourense , in the center of the autonomous region of Galicia on the Miño tributary Avia. Important branches of the economy are winemaking (ribeiro) and the production of coffins .

Geographical description

The residents of the municipality of Ribadavia are spread across seven municipalities. The district capital is Ribadavia and this district belongs to the Ribeiro area, where the famous and mythical wine is made, which has always been praised by kings and poets. Today the wine is marketed under the name Denominación de Origen Ribeiro .

This small municipality, with an area of 25 km², lies on the right bank of the Miño , at the confluence of the Avia River, which rises in the Avión Mountains and forms a deep valley. Ribadavia's past is reflected in its churches, chapels, sanctuaries, convents, noble houses, etc. Today the district is one of the most important economic centers in Galicia. The wineries on this bank of the Miño produced the best and most expensive wines in Spain in the Middle Ages. In this municipality there are two elements that form a landscape of deep valleys and well-defined mountain slopes and steep slopes, one of the hallmarks of the Ribeiro area. In the west rise the foothills of the Serra do Faro de Avión , with mountains like Franqueirán or Couto de Feixa. In the east, the Miño flows through the municipality as the most important inland waterway. After leaving the reservoir , the Miño crosses the deep valley between the mountains of Foz and Castrelo do Miño, takes in the Avia river further south and then winds through a wide valley. Here is the most fertile part of the municipality. The climate shows certain area-related differences that clearly delimit the Ribeiro area in comparison to the rest of the northwest of the province of Ourense. It is characterized here by two factors: the heat and drought in summer is reflected in the temperatures and in the low amount of precipitation; on the other hand, the oceanic influence is noticeable up to the Miño river basin.

history

It is said that Abobirca was the first name of Ribadavia. This word, which supposedly comes from the Celtic and means 'village on the Abo', was the former name of Avia. The village was originally on the left bank of the river, was later moved to the right bank and then renamed Rippa Avie in the Middle Ages , which comes from the Latin . The first written records come from the Middle Ages. Prehistoric remains are fortified settlements such as Castro do Castelo or the Castros in Sanín and Esposende . In addition, various ceramic pieces and everyday objects from the pre-Roman and Roman epochs have been found here. Fernando II. (1157-1188) granted the town in 1164, the city charter . In the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, when numerous monasteries and religious monasteries were built or founded that contributed to the economy of Galicia, the municipality of Ribadavia was officially annexed to the kingdom of Castile because of its military importance . This can be seen in the numerous defensive structures in the area: castles such as Santa Cruz, Sande, Novoa, etc., of which there are hardly any remains today. King García established his residence here and made Ribadavia the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia between 1065 and 1071 . The strategic position of this place was supplemented with effective defenses. At that time, new aristocratic families settled here, which contributed to the economic boom. The ruins of the castle of Ribadavia tell of power and splendor, of former medieval battles between landlords for the fertile land of this area. The monasteries in Melón , San Clodio , Oseira and also in Celanova, which promoted viticulture and thus transformed the Ribeiro area into one of the most prosperous areas in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, also date from this period . In addition, Jews were allowed to settle in Ribadavia in the Porta Nova district during these centuries , where there was probably even a synagogue once . In the 14th century, half of the inhabitants of this village were Jews who were involved in the wine trade, the liberal professions and handicrafts and promoted the prosperity of the region.

Jewish life in Ribadavia: At the beginning of the 11th century the first Jews settled in Ribadavia, over the centuries the Jewish community grew strongly. In 1386 it had around 1,500 members. Most of the Jews were in the wine trade from the 12th century until the brutal expulsion from Spain by the Catholic Kings in 1492 . Today only the street names and buildings in the former Jewish quarter remind of their presence.

The Catholic kings gave Bernardino Samiento the title of Count in thanks for his services during the war against the Moors in Granada. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, the borders were opened and wine sales continued on an international level until the 17th century. Wine became a staple of the ports in northern Spain and was exported to America, England and Flanders. But transport hindrances due to the inadequate connection network led to a rise in the price of wine and thus to a crisis. When new, cheaper wines appeared on the market, the market share continued to decrease. Various plagues hit this area in the 19th century, and American grapevines were introduced that were more resistant and productive. It was only in the course of the 20th century that the desired production volumes and the quality that is currently recognized by all wine experts were achieved. For centuries, Ribadavia was marked by legal proceedings, disputes and feuds between nobles and church officials. That is why his land and viticulture have always been the economic engine that drove this district forward.

Attractions

If you visit Ribadavia you should definitely visit the monastery of San Domingos, supposedly the second most important monastery in Galicia. Studies were carried out here until the 19th century; the place currently serves as a retirement home. The church of this monastery has Gothic masonry. Nearby is the neo-classical chapel of Nosa Señora do Portal, dedicated to the patron saint of Ribadavia. The San Francisco monastery was completed at the beginning of the 17th century, was initially a novice monastery and later a secondary school, currently it is inhabited by a Franciscan community . Other works of art in Ribadavia: The Romanesque church of Santiago contains an ornate gate. The Church of San Xoán belonged to the knightly order of the Hospitallers of John of Jerusalem, who looked after the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in their hospital until the 16th century and also defended and protected them from attack on their journey. The Jewish quarter in the Porta Nova district dates from the 12th century, with streets and arcades in their original state. Outside the village is the small Romanesque church of San Xes de Francelos , with parts from the end of the 8th century. The facade contains scenes from the Gospel, architectural elements and decorations in pre-Romanesque style. A small window, consisting of a simple network, has been a listed building since 1951. Other buildings are the churches of Santa María de Oliveira, Santa María Madalena and the chapel of San Lázaro, which was part of a leprosy camp in the Middle Ages . Secular buildings are the Casa da Inquisición adorned with coats of arms , the Casa do Carballo in Ventosela or Casa de Coenga. Don't forget the noble family house Pazo de Quintáns in the municipality of Esposede and the historic old town of Ribadavia along the steep streets, the old pubs where you can enjoy the best wines, surrounded by old walls, often decorated with coats of arms and symbols of the old noble families .

free time activities

Nature lovers can take a trip on a catamaran on the Miño, along an idyllic landscape that is densely overgrown. You can also rent boats to go up the Miño, or go on excursions by bike or on horseback. This place is surrounded by mountains where you can go on numerous walks. This is also the best way to get to know the most interesting places and landscapes in this area. There are hiking trails that run through the mountains, such as the one known as the Ruta dos Montes do Faro; and others that take you back in time, such as the Ruta dos Castros (the route of fortified pre-Roman settlements) or the route of works of art known as the Ruta do Románico. For most visitors, the Ruta do Viño (the Wine Route) seems the most interesting of all. For a total of 33 kilometers, this path leads the visitor through the most affluent areas of the Ribeiro area. In this municipality you can also fish in the Avia River, which has a trout reserve.

Celebrations and events

Ribadavia celebrates the feast in honor of St. Sebastian . The carnival festival is also to be distinguished in this municipality. In April, the town of Sanín celebrates the feast in honor of St. Peter the Martyr. In Francelos the Fish and Eel Festival (Festa do Peixe e da Anguía) takes place on June 28th, and in the second half of July in Ribadavia the Mostra de Teatro, a kind of theater show. On September 1st, Ribadavia celebrates the Festa da Istoria (Festival of History), with a costume parade as the highlight. This tradition, which lasted until 1868, has only recently been revived. From September 7th to 10th there are also festivities in honor of the patron saint of this town, the Virxe do Portal. In Ribadavia there is a market on the 10th and 25th of every month, as well as the fair on September 8th . From April 28th to May 1st, the city is all about wine, with the Feira do Viño de Ribeiro (Festival of Ribeiro Wine).

literature

Leopoldo Meruéndano Arias, Los Judíos de Ribadavia y orígen de las cuatro parroquias .
Samuel Eiján, Historia de Ribadavia y sus alrededores .

Web links

Commons : Ribadavia - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

↑ Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero . Population statistics from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (population update).

[1] Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero . Population statistics from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (population update).