 City walls of Lugo | ||
| Lugo | ||
| region | Lugo | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 98.519 (2020) | |
| height | 465 m | |
| Tourist info web | lugo.es | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Lugo is a provincial capital in Spanish Galicia. It is located in the east of Galicia on the Rio Miño.
background
Today Lugo is one of the four provincial capitals in the autonomous region of Galicia. Lugo is the oldest city in Galicia. The main attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Roman fortifications.
The city wall of Lugo is the only fortification from Roman times that has been completely and completely intact over a length of 2,200 m. It looks the same today as it did in the 4th century. It is the best-preserved building of Western Roman military architecture. Even today you can still walk around the old town on the top of the wall. On November 30, 2000 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Romans called the provincial capital Lugo in the north, Lucus Augusti Spain. She was since the year 14 BC. A military camp of Emperor Augustus. The defensive wall survived the Roman Empire unscathed. It is the most important cultural asset of the small Galician city, which is endowed with numerous other historical treasures. Because of important mineral deposits in the area, Lucus Augusti was the administrative center and an important junction of trade routes.
The 8 to 12 m high city wall was built from 263 AD. Lugo had to defend itself against the first attacks by barbarians from the north. The Suebi were able to penetrate through an open city gate under Hermerico in AD 460. The citizens had left the city gates open because of the Easter celebrations. From then on the conquerors came and went in Lugo. The Visigoths drove out the Suebi. In 714 Lugo was sacked by the Moors, but Alfonso I recaptured the city in 755. In 968 it was taken by the Normans on their way to the Mediterranean. Under the Castilian King Alfonso VIII (1155-1214), the Christian population finally felt safe, but the Moorish troops of the Almanzor conquered the four to seven meter thick walls. The wall was damaged during the fighting. The defense towers were partially integrated into the wall. Stairs and ramps led to them and to the top of the wall. In the 16th century, breaches were made in the wall in which new houses were built. Today there are ten city gates, 5 from Roman times, 5 more from 1853 and 1921. The gates of Roman origin are the oldest gate Puerta del Carmen, Puerta de Santiago, Puerta Nueva (remodeled at the end of the 19th century), Puerta Toledana and Puerta Falsa. The building material of the city wall is mainly slate and granite, which was found in the area. The city wall covers a total of 34.4 hectares. In 1921 the city walls of Lugo were declared a National Monument. It was no longer allowed to be structurally changed. But in 1971 a decision was made to demolish the newer civilian buildings in the wall. The renovation removed everything that was not intended for use and made the walls what they once were: a typical Roman defense system.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is in Santiago de Compostela.
By train
By bus
In the street
Lugo is on the A & von Ponferrada to A Coruña and on the N-640 Ribadeo on the Costa Verde, as well as the N-540 to Ourense and N-547 to Santiago de Compostela.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples
- Lugo Cathedral. The cathedral on Plaza Santa Maria was built in the late Romanesque style from 1129. It stands close to the Roman city wall. From here you have a nice view of the church. Through additions and additions, you can find different architectural styles today. The main facade was created by Sanchez Bort in a neo-classical style. But there are also Gothic and Baroque style elements.
- Convento de San Francisco. The Provincial Museum since 1957. The monastery was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. A collection of pictures, ceramics, coins, clocks and some golden relics from the Celtic period are displayed in the museum. In 1990 the building was expanded. A church is attached to the monastery.
Streets and squares
- Praza Mayor. The most important square in Lugo's old town. The rectangular, green square is near the cathedral. At this place is the Casa Consistorial (City Hall), as well as other interesting buildings with cafes and restaurants.
- Praza de Santo Domingo, downtown.
- Praza de Santa Maria, at the cathedral.
Parks
- Parque Rosalia de Castro. The park was named after the Galician poetess. It was built in 1925 and is 23 hectares in size. It is located outside the city walls near the Santiago city gate.
activities
shop
kitchen
Cheap
medium
Upscale
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
medium
Upscale
Learn
Work
security
health
Practical advice
- Tourist information, Plaza de Espana (Praza Mayor) 27-29. Tel.: 34 9820231 361.
