The old quarter

The old quarter of Tui is the second most important historic complex in Galicia. Tui was the capital city of one of the old seven provinces of the Kingdom of Galicia and this historic-artistic site is a good example of a mediaeval urban area, among the best preserved ones in the country.

Its ancient streets knit a web from the banks of the River Miño up towards the fortified Cathedral, shaping a unique profile which is distinguishable from afar. The scene of the old international bridge crossing over to Valença, the river at the foot of the city and the Cathedral on top of the hill is an iconic vignette found in thousands of photos spread all over the world taken by pilgrims entering Galicia through the Portuguese Way of Saint James.

The old quarter is a place to explore taking your time, discovering quaint small streets, squares, stately houses, churches, convents, coats of arms and plenty of little details on façades, doors and windows. Even a casual look will reveal that different cultures have been present here, each of them leaving its mark. When strolling through old Tui we should not hurry, as it is worth a leisurely and open-eyed visit that may well start or end in the Cathedral (a monument calling for its own time, given the many treasures it houses). In this section you can discover each of the charms it holds for you.