Viveiro combines its natural beauty with cultural “gems” such as the Gate ofCarlos V, the Bridge of Mercy, the House of Lions and the Franciscan convent that, together with the Church of Santiago, declared a National Monument. Holy Week is your most important holiday. "La Rapa das Bestas de Candaoso" and "La Romería de Naseiro" are festivals of national tourist interest. Also known for its seafood cuisine.
Viveiro is a city, situated northeast of Galicia in the Western Mariña region, which is at the valley formed by the Landro River, which ends up at the estuary of Viveiro, the waters of which arrive at the Cantabrian Sea. It has 15.550 inhabitants, which means that it´s the city with the highest number of inhabitants in the entire region. Its climate is warm and temperate, with an average annual temperature of 10ºC, with more rain in the winter than in the summer.
Because of archeological discoveries, we know that the first settlements of the city go back to the Iron Age. Viveiro begins to develop itself as a city during the Middle Ages, specifically in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Besides its beautiful nature, Viveiro stands out for its architecture. Some of the gems of the city are the Gate of Charles V (Puerta de Carlos V), which was the entrance to the city when Viveiro was surrounded by walls; the House of Lions (La Casa de los Leones), from which only the façade, built in the seventeenth century is preserved, and the Franciscan convent, which is declared as a National Monument together with the Church of Saint James (la Iglesia de Santiago).
Other things which make Viveiro attractive are the local festivities, the most important of which being the one of the Holy Week, which has been declared as Festivity of International Touristic Interest. Other annual celebrations are the “Rapa das Bestas de Candaoso” and the “Romería de Naseiro”, which are also events of national touristic interest.
In Viveiro José Rey Lago was born, who was one of the best Spanish craftsmen. He was distinguished for the heraldic shields, furniture and replicas of imaginary animals he made of brass, iron and copper. He also elaborated fences and gates which are real masterpieces.
Viveiro´s cuisine includes a lot of fish and seafood. One of the most typical dishes is the octopus made in the Galician way (Pulpo a la gallega).
