Galicia Tourist Guide 2018

Pazo de Fefiñáns. Cambados

Pazo de Oca. A Estrada

hundred varieties of camellias and was the fruit of labours of a British couple named the Gimsons, who, after acquiring the building in the 1960s, created an English-style bo- tanical garden with species from all of the world's continents. It has subsequently become one of the foremost in all of Spain. The origins of the Pazo of Lou- rizán date back to the 15th century, although the building itself —con- structed in modernist style— was only erected in the 19th century. Its 54 hectares of land served a vari- ety of purposes over the course of its existence, from farmland to a forest research centre . The abundance of a wide array of camellias makes this landscaped area burst with colour . Camellias and roses are intermixed in the Castelo de Soutomaior gar-

take in a tasting. During the guided visit they will show you inside the pazo and its chapel. The gardens at the Pazo of Quin- teiro da Cruz , located in Riba- dumia , are surrounded by vineyards with the Rías Baixas designation of origin , its own winery, and a native forest . The true star of the land- scaped area , where a plethora of exotic and tropical species flourish, is the camellia: some 5,000 speci- mens of more than a thousand vari- eties. Another pazo with a winery is Fefiñáns , in Cambados . Built in the 18th century, the Pazo of A Saleta , in Meis , has a chapel and pigeon house, as was typical in stately buildings from this era, as well as magnificent gardens. The one that surrounds the rural house itself is planted with more than two

66