Baiona's print in the history
The historic centre of Baiona is full of small streets, bars, restaurants, well-preserved stone houses and a lot of history and tradition. You can enjoy a walk through the Plaza de Santa Liberata and the Plaza de Santa María, as well as having tapas, lunch or dinner in its most touristic area full of good restaurants with a wide and varied gastronomic offer.
Plaza de Santa Liberata
The square is named after the ancient medieval church of Santa Liberata, which stood on this site. This church was built in the 12th century and was an important religious centre in the area for many centuries.Today, the square is surrounded by stately homes and historic buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.In the centre of the square there is a classical-style fountain.It is certainly a place worth visiting to enjoy its architectural beauty and learn more about its historical past.
Plaza de Santa María
At the centre of the square is the Church of Santa Maria, an impressive 12th-century Gothic church with a granite façade and an imposing bell tower. The church was declared a National Monument in 1931 and is one of Baiona's main tourist attractions.The Plaza de Santa Maria is a lively and bustling place, especially during the summer months when numerous events and festivals take place in the city. Visitors can enjoy walking around the square, sitting at one of the café terraces or simply admiring the beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere that permeates this charming corner of Baiona.
The old town was declared a "Historic Artistic Site" by the Xunta de Galicia on March 1, 1993 and offers a variety of local cuisine where you can enjoy excellent wines and typical food from this area of the southern Galician Rías Baixas.
Leisure and gastronomy
Wide range of restaurants and tapas bars in the centre of Baiona, where you can delight in authentic Galician flavours and enjoy the beautiful sea view. Don't forget to accompany your meal with a good Galician wine, such as Albariño Godello or Ribeiro.Fresh seafood: such as Galician octopus, mussels, shrimp, barnacles, clams or scallopsFresh Atlantic fish such as turbot, sole, sea bass, cod, prepared on the grill, in the oven or in sauce.Galician empanada.Galician cheeses: such as tetilla cheese.You can't leave Baiona without trying some of the delicacies of the pastry shop such as La Torta
Baiona and the discovery of Am
The history of Baiona is strongly linked to the discovery of America. In 1493, the city was the first place in Europe to receive the news of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. It was here that the caravel "La Pinta", commanded by Martín Alonso Pinzón, arrived with the news and the first shipment of products brought from America.Baiona was an important port during the 16th and 17th centuries. During this time, various historical buildings were built, such as the Monterreal Castle, a military fortress that was built to protect the city from attacks by English and French pirates.During the War of Independence in the 19th century, Baiona was occupied by French troops and suffered damage and looting. Despite this, the city managed to recover and became an important tourist destination, thanks to its beautiful beaches and historical heritage.
Carabela Pinta
The replica is a representation of the caravel used on Christopher Columbus' first expedition to America in 1492.The Pinta was one of three vessels that formed part of Columbus' expedition.The replica of the Pinta was built in the 1990s by traditional shipbuilding experts and sailed to Baiona in 1994 to commemorate the 5th Centenary of the Discovery of America.The replica is an impressive display of the craftsmanship and engineering of the time. Visitors can climb aboard and explore the vessel, which shows what sailing conditions were like in the 15th century.It is a must-see for history lovers and offers a unique experience for visitors.
Monument to discovery
The statue represents a male figure holding an astrolabe in one hand, an instrument used by sailors of the time to measure the position of the stars and determine latitude at sea. On its left side, the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs, who financed Columbus's voyage, is represented.It commemorates the role that this Royal Villa played in the history of discoveries; it was the first European town to receive news of Columbus's encounter with America. Baiona was the place chosen to write and sign the "Carta de Colón", an official report of the voyage of discovery that was sent to the Catholic Monarchs.It has become one of the most important tourist attractions in the town.
Other interest points
Monterreal Castle: A former military castle that now houses the Parador de Baiona. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.Barbeira Beach: A beautiful beach with golden sand and crystal-clear waters. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun.Baiona Seafront Promenade: A seafront promenade that runs along the Baiona coastline and offers excellent views of the sea and the marina.Navigation Museum: The museum offers an interesting insight into the maritime history of the region.Monte A Groba: A mountain located near Baiona that offers several hiking trails and panoramic views of the Galician coast and the Cíes Islands.
