Cálogo Tower
Cálogo Tower
Address
Plaza San Marcos s/n 36620 Vilanova de Arousa, Pontevedra
GPS coordinates
Longitude: 42.567110225271
Latitude: -8.828311544253744
The tower is all that remains of the former Benedictine Monastery of San Cibrao de Cálogo, founded by St. Fructuosus in the 7th c. The monastery was destroyed by Norman attacks in the 9th and 10th centuries.
This square-shaped tower is formed by granite ashlars with part of a steeple still standing; its two semi-circular arches used to house the same number of bells. There are also remains of an exterior stairway, which used to lead up to the belfry.
The tower is located on high ground, lacks any decorative elements and was separate from the other buildings. It therefore appears to have been a defensive construction that was built in order to warn about the presence of invaders arriving by sea. It thus formed part of more complex defensive system that would have included the different towers and forts that existed along the coastline, culminating with the fort called Torres de Oeste.
Recently, a documented from 884 was located that featured a donation to the monastery and expressly mentioned the pilgrims that travelled to Santiago de Compostela; it is, to date, the region’s oldest reference to the Camiño de Santiago.
TOURIST OFFICE OF
Vilanova de Arousa