Galicia Tourist Guide 2018

Pazo de Santa Cruz de Ribadulla. Vedra

Pazos and gardens Camellias are the true stars of the show in the stately gardens of local pazos. Try to visit when they are in bloom to witness how the experience becomes a feast for the senses. THE ROUTE OF THE CAMELLIA

The types of camellias that grow in the garden at the Santa Cruz de Ribadulla Pazo are known for their beauty and large size. For the experts out there, this ornamental botanical garden is the most fascinat- ing in all of Galicia. It was enriched in the 19th century by Iván Armada, who significantly expanded the plant collection. This magnificent example of the Galician garden is divided into wild areas and others that are more geometrically shaped. It also has an old glass greenhouse. This idyl- lic enclave was where intellectual and politician Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos sought refuge during the

This route will take you through various settlements in the provinc- es of A Coruña and Pontevedra , as detailed below. Along the journey, you can wander through traditional Galician gardens while taking in their unusual scents and sights. All year long, there are expos and contests celebrated in different regions of Galicia, since the qual- ity and variety of the specimens is something highly sought after by local amateurs and international expert collectors alike. Your trip begins at the Mariñán Pazo , which is located in the mu- nicipality of Bergondo. The build-

ing is situated on a large farm next to the Mandeo River . The French garden, with its geometric flow- erbed, is composed of paths lined with boxwood and banana trees , as well as azaleas, ivy, rose bushes, centuries-old varietals of Clethra, and, of course, a wide variety of camellias. The most notable botanical aspect of Santiago de Compostela is the Alameda, or boulevard, which is lo- cated in the city centre. It is in this peaceful place, along with the Car- balleira de Santa Susana Park and the shade of the palm and banana trees where the stunning camellias called "jacobeas" grow.

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