Tui (Galicia)

Tui

Tui is a charming small town in Galicia. Staying at the parador on the Minho River makes for a nice river walk into the old city. Old goes back to prehistoric times, vestiges are found from 20,000 BC. So, really old.  Later, the Moors invaded and then the Vikings in the 12th century. There are Romanesque and Gothic elements to be seen.  Now, the city seems to be very vibrant with a lot of construction.

It is right on the river Minho which is also the border with Portugal and, thus, has been fought over through much of its history.  The fortress below is on the Portuguese side of the Minho and the two cities were often at war.

Walking across the river on the "friendship bridge", one enters Valenca, Portugal in less than one half hour. There are 2 bridges between Tui and Valenca, one was inspired by Eiffel works.  One of the walks is also on the Camino, called the Portuguese way.  With its well preserved fortress, Valenca is a very busy tourist town, Full of activity and little shops. The village patron Saint, Sao Teotonio was the first Portuguese saint.

The walk into the old city of Tui can be done on the Camino if one desires.  There is another walk right on the river which gives one a great water view.  When you arrive at the old city, there is a long steep staircase, which means you can skip the gym that day.  you will find both a lovely modern town, 

and a very well maintained, very old town. I wouldn't be surprised if movies were made here, but most of these old towns are well maintained.  We don't really see much decrepitude anywhere. 

This Spanish frontier town, it should be no surprise, is in a isolated flat area in the midst of the Iberian mountain ranges that run all along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian peninsula.  It is mostly rural, quite green and beautiful.  A very pleasant place to visit.  As with the rest of Galicia, while everyone speaks Spanish, their native tongue is Galician.

Tui is inland from the coast by about 25 km (~15 miles) yet it is deep in the mountains. While on a walk in one of the Tui Parks. (below)

We saw wild saffron growing (in pink - below).  It was quite special. 

A Coruña

This modern city with ancient roots is charming. It has a large working harbor, and appears to be financially strong, with lots of resources from the mountains and sea.

It appears to be enjoyed by local Galicians, however, in general, it is not tourist destination either for the Spanish or international travelers.

Before the Romans established their foothold (and parts of this foothold are still present in a 2,000 year-old lighthouse in town - below), A Coruna was a strong Celtic community, speaking Gallego (their native tongue) which is more closely related to Irish, and Scottish than English, Spanish, or Latin. It is quite different both linguistically and socially here from the rest of Spain (or rather Spain of the plains south of the Pyrenees, i.e. Spanish); most likely because it is a productive seaside territory isolated from Spain by vast mountain ranges that cover the eastern extents of the Iberian peninsula.  Because of this Galicia has a lot more more in common with Portugal, it's southern neighbor, than with Spain.

As in so many other places in Galicia, it marks the point of entry for pilgrims to Santiago de compostela from England and Ireland who come across the sea.