Things to do in Pontevedra

Igrexa da Virxe Peregrina Praza da Peregrina, 5, 36001 Pontevedra The Igrexa da Virxe Peregrina is a religious building in the city of Pontevedra, Galicia (Spain). It consists of a scallop-shaped chapel located at the foot of the Camino de Santiago, Portugal. Its construction began in 1778 and it is one of the most symbolic and relevant buildings in the city of Pontevedra. It is dedicated to the Virgin who, according to tradition, guides pilgrims from Bayonne to Santiago. The church houses a statue of Virxe da Peregrina (19th century), patron saint of the province of Pontevedra and patron saint of the Portuguese Way. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1982, it combines late Baroque and neoclassical forms, such as the main altarpiece, built in 1789. Its planimetric shape is inspired by the scallop shell, a typical symbol of pilgrims, with a cross at the end. This rounded shape is related to the typology prevalent in Portuguese temples at the time. Admiral Casto Méndez Núñez donated a large giant clam shell that he brought back from the Pacific Ocean during one of his many voyages, which is located at the entrance of the church and serves as a holy font for holy water. The clock on the north tower was installed in 1896 and comes from the demolished San Juan de Dios Hospital. The bell of the hospital is also installed inside the church. The first restoration of the temple was carried out in 1981 to repair serious structural damage (large cracks in the building due to the movement of the foundations). It was carried out by César Portela and José Bar Boo. The second and most important restoration took place in 2008, with the restoration of elements such as stained glass windows, walls, paintings and the tower clock. This is a church with a central plan. Its plan is inspired by the scallop, the characteristic symbol of the pilgrims, inside which a cross is carved. The plan is circular, but by including the antechamber it takes on the shape of a scallop shell. The rotunda that constitutes the temple itself is framed by four fluted pilasters supporting a low front arch, on which a projecting cornice rests. Above it stands a dome with a half-moon and lantern. It has a dome, lantern and dome.