Ruinas de San Tirso de Portocelo

The Way of St. James gives us the opportunity to get to know Galicia in depth. Depending on the route, we will go into the inland part of the community or we will walk along the coast, where we will enjoy incredible views of the sea while visiting different points of interest, such as the ruins of San Tirso de Portocelo.

A millenary castro and an early medieval hermitage on the edge of the cliff

On the fifth stage of the Camiño do Mar, which runs from San Ciprián to Viveiro, we come across the parish of Portocelo, which belongs to the municipality of Xove. Here, close to the coast, we find the archaeological area of San Tirso, where we can find the remains of the Mechiluide Hillfort and the Hermitage of San Tirso de Portocelo.

The hill fort dates from the Iron Age, and its triangular-shaped enclosure has been preserved. As it is close to the coast, it was only necessary to build two walls and two large moats to defend it. Recent excavations have uncovered two dwellings and remains of very good quality pottery.

On the other hand, the remains of the chapel of the Hermitage of San Tirso de Portocelo can be found. This was one of the three churches that a deacon from Portugal, fleeing from the Muslims in the 8th century, founded on the coast of A Mariña Lucense. Three monasteries were created in these three churches, called San Juan de Celeiro, San Esteban de Sumoas and San Tirso de Portocelo.

As well as being able to see the remains of these settlements, a visit to the archaeological area of San Tirso offers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views. From the heights of this location, it is possible to see Portocelo, the island of Sarón, Punta Arxente and the immensity of the sea.