Scenic villages in Galicia and Asturias highlight Spain's rural heritage

The villages of Ponte Maceira in Galicia and La Pornacal in Asturias offer unique glimpses into Spain's historical and architectural landscapes.

Ponte Maceira, located in the province of A Coruña, is a small settlement of approximately 60 inhabitants recognized by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain. The village features 13th-century origins, highlighted by the A Ponte Vella Romanesque bridge, which utilized ancient Roman pillars. Other notable sites include the 18th-century San Blas Chapel, the 12th-century Santa María de Portor church, and the Pazo de Baladrón, which contains traditional granaries known as hórreos.

In Asturias, the settlement of La Pornacal in the Somiedo council preserves a collection of approximately thirty teitos. These traditional high-mountain dwellings were historically used by herders and are constructed using dry stone techniques. The structures feature steeply pitched roofs made from local brushwood, designed to facilitate rainwater runoff, with livestock kept on the lower levels and hay stored above.