Vigo: Architecture

In Vigo can find early architectural manifestations between 3000-2000 BC. These constructions of more than 5000 years old were true funerary monuments called dolmens belonging to Palaeolithic man.

As early as the Iron Age, between the seventh BC and the second century AD, are the first fortified settlements or forts. These villages were built on top of Mount housing structure formed by circular stone walls and thatched roof forming small neighborhoods. We can see the excavations of these villages on Mount Castro.

From the first century BC Iron Age culture merges with the Roman until the fourth century after Christ. Castreños villages live with the first buildings are Roman until the first villages and life is established near the coast. We visit many Roman remains in the Museum Quiñones de León or excavation of the Roman villa of Mirambell.

The Romanesque architecture also has its presence in Vigo as part of the high medieval period. Currently three remain Romanesque churches: San Salvador de Coruxo, Santa Maria and Santiago de Bembrive Castrelos. They are single nave churches dating from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.The Castrelos has a semicircular apse. The Coruxo has three semicircular apses facing the curious polygonal apse of the church of Bembrive.

In the reign of Philip IV, in 1656, the walls were built to protect the city Vigo looting. At that time they also built the stronghold of A Laxe and the castle of San Sebastian, next to the chapel of the same name. Also from this period are the manors of Quñones Pastora and Leon.

The wall, which had no moat, came to the Castle of San Sebastian through the current Puerta del Sol, where he was the former Neptune fountain (which today retain his statue in the gardens of Quiñones de León). The wall came down the street to A Laxe Carral, bordering the sea to where O Berbés to start Real Street. From there rose to the Castillo de San Sebastián.

Romanesque architecture (XII-XIII)
	In medieval documents relating to the city are listed as 15 Romanesque churches of the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth. Of all these churches left standing only the churches of Santiago de Bembrive, Santa Maria and San Salvador Castrelos Coruxo.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE (XV-XIX)
	In medieval Vigo is a coastal town with only a few hundred inhabitants. The village developed in the coastal strip by the Berbés areas and Arenal. Commercial fishing activities and promote the development of the city, example is the city palace Arines Ceta or late Gothic of the fifteenth and sixteenth century the adjoining.