As Ermidas, a parish in the municipality of O Bolo, is the setting for a sanctuary which, by itself, more than justifies an excursion from the city of Ourense. The sanctuary, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2006, is one of the area’s great attractions, but by no means the only one, as its location offers a plethora of opportunities to experience the local culture and natural beauty. Even in its smallest villages, Galicia holds a wealth of surprises, and this is certainly true of the parish of As Ermidas, which enjoys a stunning location, on the side of the river Bibei gorge.
On your excursion, take the opportunity to see the area’s other attractions (including O Bolo castle, which has a fascinating interactive museum), as well as the little villages in the vicinity — all spread over just a few kilometres. If you go in the summer, grab the chance of a dip on the river beach, a most pleasant spot to spend an afternoon. And if you stay to have lunch in the area, there are a few restaurants in the village of O Bolo offering good value for money where you can stop off before continuing your sightseeing tour. Below, we give you some information about the sanctuary, but the best plan is to join a guided tour which will give you more detail, and you can hear some of the stories that surround the place…
- Sanctuary of As Ermidas
- What to see in the village
- A dip on the river beach
- Where to eat in As Ermidas
- Where to stay near As Ermidas
Sanctuary of As Ermidas
The history of the As Ermidas sanctuary dates back to the thirteenth century, with the discovery of a statue of the Virgin by some cowherds, who noticed that the cows they were tending behaved strangely when they were herded close to a particular spot. When they investigated, they discovered a Romanesque-style carving of the Virgin and Child in a cave. The local people decided to build a hermitage to house the statue. Centuries later, the bishop of Astorga was on a visit to the area when he fell ill, and the Virgin appeared to him in a dream, so he decided that he should build a great sanctuary in her honour. Work on the As Ermidas sanctuary began in 1624, but took several decades to complete. Over time, the High Chapel was added, along with the towers, crucifix and buildings to accommodate the pilgrims who came to make their appeals to the Virgin. The building’s façade is considered one of the finest of the Galician Baroque. Its embellishments include a number of images and Solomonic, or spiralling, columns decorated with plant motifs. The altarpieces inside are outstanding, particularly the High Altar.
A few years later, a Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, was established, with 15 chapels and 62 statues. It is really a series of pavilions with sculptures inside. If the opportunity arises, try to visit this renowned Via Crucis during Holy Week. It covers a distance of one kilometre, and the traditional practice is to visit each of the stations between the sanctuary and O Cruceiro.
What to see in the village
Either before or after visiting the sanctuary, we recommend you go for a walk around As Ermidas, a tiny village that is part of O Bolo. The village lies on the side of the gorge carved by the river Bibei, a tributary of the river Sil. It has a range of traditional houses, with attractive doorways and balconies. The houses of wealthy families are easily identified by their façades built from blocks of stone, and their closed, glazed balconies. If you enjoy photography, you can take excellent pictures here.
A dip on the river beach
Visitors during the summer can take advantage of the pleasant river beach and the cool waters of the river Bibei. If you follow the course of the river, you will see several water mills that have been restored; in the past, these were a vital element in the lives of the residents — to grind grain and to make oil, among other things. Don’t hesitate to go for a dip — it’s lovely and cool. Moreover, there’s a car park nearby, so there’s no excuse.
O Bolo Castle
This fortress, built during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, is one of the comarca’s most important historical monuments. By the early twentieth century, as a result of damage sustained during uprisings and subsequent neglect, the castle was in an advanced state of decay, but in 2001 it was restored and opened to visitors. Inside, you will find an interactive museum where you can learn all about the castle’s history. Make sure you go up the tower, which is around 20 metres high, to admire the panoramic views.
The river Bibei gorges
Hiking and geology enthusiasts will enjoy the breathtaking scenery offered by the Bibei gorge, with its deep ravines and its sides clothed with vegetation. One nearby gem that you really shouldn’t miss is the As Ermidas sanctuary, a treasure of the Galician Baroque (which has already been mentioned).
Things to see nearby
In the same municipality, you could go on to visit some of the area’s most impressive stone crosses, such as the one close to the cemetery in O Bolo, or the one in Chaodocastro, which is similar to the As Ermidas crucifix. In the historic quarters of some of the villages you will find picturesque mansions and traditional houses. Make sure, too, that you don’t miss the chapel of the Virgen de Vos Navallos, the church of San Martiño, the ruins of the former Mondón spa, and O Bolo Castle.
Where to eat in As Ermidas
If you’ve planned to visit the As Ermidas sanctuary as part of a full-day excursion, and you’d like to have lunch in the area, you could head for O Bolo and the Boavista restaurant, a simple establishment with home-cooked food and very reasonable prices. You could take the opportunity to try a full Galician set menu, beginning with a stew, followed by a beef steak. Another possibility, a few kilometres further on, is the Volobriga restaurant, which also offers a choice of excellent set menus which are good value for money. The perfect spot to recharge your batteries before continuing your tour of Ourense.
Where to stay near As Ermidas
The best plan is to stay in a city with more to offer in the way of sightseeing, for which we would recommend Ourense. There you will find the Barceló Ourense, a four-star hotel in a modern style with superb décor and facilities. The hotel’s B-Rooms have exceptionally comfortable mattresses, a pillow menu, raindrop-effect showers, and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers healthy B-Likeat buffet breakfasts, in addition to a lobby-bar where a drink or a snack can be enjoyed, together with a fitness room and sauna which guests can use free of charge. If you are on a business trip, you also have 5 meeting rooms at your disposal.
