Casco Antiguo de Vigo

Casco Antiguo de Vigo | Wikicommons. Autor: Zarateman

A journey through Galician history and culture

The old town of Vigo, also known as “Casco Vello”, is one of the essential parts of the historical and cultural heart of the Galician city. Walking through its streets is a journey through time, and in which each corner tells a story.

We have to go back to medieval times, with the beginnings of a small fishing settlement, to know the origin of Casco Vello. Over the centuries, Vigo grew and expanded beyond its first walls, but the old town has always maintained its importance as the center of the city's social and economic life. Its strategic location on the Galician coast gave it a significant role in several historical battles, including fights against pirate raids and during the War of the Spanish Succession.

The narrow, cobbled streets of Casco Vello reveal the most diverse architecture, with influences ranging from medieval to modernist. We can find everything from small fishermen's houses to elegant bourgeois buildings. Monuments such as the Co-Cathedral of Santa María stand out, a clear exquisite example of Galician late Gothic; or the Plaza de la Constitución, which reflects the social and vibrant atmosphere of the area.

Social and cultural activity are the watchwords of Casco Vello. The streets are packed with tapas bars, restaurants and shops offering local crafts or contemporary fashion. It is a place where tradition and modernity coexist, with a cultural offer that includes art galleries, museums and cultural centers. During the last decades, the Casco Vello de Vigo has undergone a significant process of renewal and revitalization. This effort has not only sought to preserve its historical and architectural wealth, but also to turn it into a dynamic and accessible space for residents and visitors.

For visitors to Vigo, Casco Vello is a mandatory stop. It offers an authentic and multifaceted experience of the city, where you can enjoy both its rich history and its vibrant contemporary life. The Old Town of Vigo is much more than a historical area, it is a living testimony of the city's history, a center of cultural life and a meeting point for those seeking to experience the authentic essence of Vigo.