Aretha Franklin singing Elton John’s “ Border Song” – we have now crossed the border and will be walking in Galicia.
When I first walked the final section of this stage into O PORRINO,it was alongside a large industrial estate and if was quite malodorous. We renamed the town Oh No Porrino! However, a new route along the River Louro now makes this avoidable.Tui is a popular starting point for Pelegrinos as the distance to Santiago is long enough to qualify for a Compostela. it is worth remembering that if you wish to qualify for a Compostela,you need two stamps a day throughout Galicia.The nuns’ tunnel – Tunel das Monxas through which we pass on the way out of Tui. To avoid walking alongside the N550 we can take the paseo fluvial towards the Cathedral, which is the official starting point of this stage.Catedral de Santa Maria – Sello? The Convento de Santo Domingo (Convent of Saint Dominic) in Tui, Spain, is a 14th-century religious complex originally founded in 1330. Situated overlooking the Miño River, it is a primary example of mendicant Gothic architecture in Galicia. Praza San Bartolome – one of the oldest suburbs of Tui. we then leave the town behind and turn down on to a medieval bridge .We do not cross the bridge over the Rio Louro but turn left along the ancient Via Romana XIX.Who will be tempted to have their photo taken here?The Capella da Virxe do Camino. The Camino crosses the A55 motorway along a dedicated pilgrim track with a timber safety barrier,following this we go under the AP-9 and shortly afterwards turn back over the motorway to enter some woodland.Cruceiro San Telmo – also known as the Ponte das Febres. Here San Telmo fell sick and died of a fever in 1251 on his way back from a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. I remember stopping here for a bag break on my solo Portuguese Camino ; I didn’t stay long it was damp day and a mournful place.Following the waymarks after crossing the bridge – the yellow arrows are important here as there are local walking routes in the area. Eventually to Ribadelouro where there is a Cafe Casa Cultura.We cross the Puente Orbenlle and continue upto the road.The mural is of the Portico de Gloria ( Santiago Cathedral) and the way mark directs to the “new” scenic route avoiding the industrial area referred to earlier. Signs here are often obliterated by local businesses on the original “ industrial’ route ! Arrows on the road painted out in black. We turn left,keeping a careful eye as further waymarks may have been removed.No confusion – we take the “ complementary “ route to the left.
150 metres along left from the artwork we turn left along a dirt road ( again the arrow may have been deleted), if so,look for the black paint. We go down the slope from here .
Cross the River on the Ponte de Baranco and then uphill, between grapevines.
We follow some country roads winding our way over the AP-9.
Passing Capella de San Campio we go back over the AP-9 and walking on past a sign to Taberna Tia Maria ( left 180 M ).
We then take a dirt path and fork right to walk alongside the river Louro ( RHS ) for 2 KM until we reach the outskirts of O PORRINO. We leave the river path close to the Albergue de Peregrinos,along the Av. Buenos Aires, cross the river, past a Froiz supermarket and over railway tracks,going right towards the old town.
O PORRINO is an industrial and mining town,known for its pink granite ( exported mainly to USA and Japan ). There is not a great deal to see – the decorative fountain and the palatial town hall both designed by an O Porrino local,Antonio Palacios.The Town Hall.Apartamentos TARELA, calle Tarela,esquino calle Perez Leiros Bajo. “This evening’s accommodation. Stayed here while on the Camino Portuguese and this was the BEST accommodation by far. Large, modern, clean apartment with washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, air conditioning, iron and ironing board. Great view from the relaxing outdoor private terrace. The host was easy to deal with and helped ensure I had everything needed and arrived within a minute of my arrival. Highly recommended!” RECENT REVIEW.
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