Real Mosteiro de Oia honors medieval historians Portela and Pallares

The Real Mosteiro de Oia held its eighth recognition ceremony to honor historians Ermelindo Portela Silva and María del Carmen Pallares Méndez for their significant contributions to Galician medieval historiography.

The private event, held at the monastery’s Plaza de Armas, brought together family members, institutional representatives, and researchers. Xoán Martínez, director of the Real Mosteiro de Oia and president of the Fundación Bretal, presented the commemorative awards, highlighting the researchers' impact on understanding medieval society, monastic life, and power structures in Galicia.

Ermelindo Portela, an emeritus professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, has focused his research on social history and territory between the 8th and 13th centuries. María del Carmen Pallares, an ad honorem professor at the same university, has specialized in the monastic world, kinship structures, and the role of women in medieval society. The two have collaborated on numerous publications, including ‘De Galicia en la Edad Media: Sociedad, Espacio y Poder’ and ‘La Reina Urraca’.