ENGLISH

This blog is a school project in progress. We will add content little by little over the next few months. You can also use the Google translator that appears on the right side of the blog to translate the blog posts into English. Thank you for your interest and patience. 

WHO ARE WE?

We are group students of 3º ESO: Iago, Héctor, Alejandra, Khadija and Victoria.

OUR PROJECT

We want to help people who come to Verin for the first time.

THE POPULATION.

The population of Verin is about 13,798 inhabitants. Verín is located in the northwest of Spain.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF VERIN. 

The town of Verín dates back to the 12^th century. Verin has changed a lot throughout the years. Now, we can say that Verín has three parts; a historical part, a natural and modern part.

Verin is famous for its natural landscapes, historical places and delicious food.

One the most important places is Monterrei Castle, which is a medieval castle with amazing views. The castle, located on a hill overlooking the town, has been partially preserved. It remains a symbol of the town’s strategic importance in the past.

The town has also religious architecture with several churches and chapels dating back to the medieval period. The church of Santa Maria, for example, is a beautiful example of religious Galician architecture. Today the historical part of Verín combines its medieval roots with the more modern influences of its contemporary town landscape.

CARNIVAL.

Verín is famous for its traditional festivals such as “the Entroido”, which is celebrated every year. The “Entroido” was declared an International Tourist Interest festival.

This festival reflects the strong cultural traditions of the region. One the most important masked figures is the “Cigarrón”.

The Cigarron costume includes the following items:

-Mask: the mask is handcrafted and painted with bright colours.

-Costume: the Cigarrons wear colourful made costumes adorned with ribbons and other embellishments.

-Whip: They carry a whip ads use it to crack the air as they march through the streets.

-Bells. The bells are attached to their costumes and jingle with every step.

GASTRONOMY

The Galician empanada is a classic of Galician cuisine. For many, the best empanada is made at the Álvarez bakery and fruit shop ( Remedios, street, nº 5 ), the peppers from Oimbra ( a town located next to Portugal ) are green, with a hint of yellow. The cream puff pastries are a very typical dessert from the province of Ourense, widely enjoyed in Verín. They are made from fried puff pastry filled with custard and sprinkled with sugar. You can find them in many places, but we recommend those from “Las Titas”, one of the most well-known pastry shops.

The “torta de Cigarrón” is a Verín cake invented by the owners of the “Primavera “pastry shop to be eaten during carnival. It is made of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, honey and candied chestnuts.

The Monterrei wines can be red or white. According to experts, they are fresh and fruity.

You can also drink the famous mineral waters from our region such as Cabreiroa and Sousas.

BUS SERVICES.

As in the case of many other places in Galician, Verin has a rather limited bus service.

The bus station is located at 17 Espido street and there is a nearby taxi stop at Rúa Das Flores.

There isn’t a direct line to Ourense: the bus has regular stops in Allariz, Xinzo and at the hospitals in Verin and Ourense. It also stops in small parishes along the route, depending on demand. The ticket costs 6.25€ and it is sold on the bus itself. The journey to Ourense takes approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.

LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL.

Two long-distance bus lines also reach Verin. This service is only available on Fridays.

LINE PONTEVEDRA-ARANDA DE DUERO-BARCELONA

LINE PONTEVEDRA-SAN SEBASTIAN

There is no train service in Verin, but if you travel to Ourense, you will find a good range of options. If you want to travel to Madrid by train, we recommend catching it at La Gudiña train stop, which is about twenty minutes from Verin.

TAXI SERVICES.

In Verin, bus lines are rather limited, and train schedules are very reduced, but we have the option of using taxis. However, due to high demand, the taxi stands are sometimes empty. This is a problem, as there is currently no radio taxi service, and the stands don’t have phones either. It is advisable to have the personal number of one or more taxi drivers. The best way to get it is by speaking to them directly or asking someone from the town to give you a contact.

TAXI STANDS CURRENTLY IN OPERATION.

A) Bus station stand (at the entrance of Rúas das Flores)

B) Laureano Pelaez stand (on Laureano Peláez street, near the Gadis supermarket)

C) Public hospital stand (inside the hospital parking lot, located on Avenida de Laza)

LEISURE.

Verin may be a small town, but it offers a variety of leisure options for residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re into nature, culture, gastronomy, or simply relaxing with friends, there’s always something to do. Here are some ideas:

-Nature and Walks: Enjoy the beautiful surroundings by exploring nearby hiking trails, the Támega River walk, or heading up to Monterrei Castle for panoramic views of the region.

- Thermal Waters: Verín is known for its mineral and thermal springs. A visit to the Fonte do Sapo or Cabreiroá fountains is a must, and there are spa facilities in and around town for a more relaxing experience.

- Local Gastronomy: Try traditional Galician dishes in the many bars and restaurants. Don’t miss local specialties like “empanada gallega”, “pulpo á feira”, and of course, wines from the Monterrei D.O.

- Festivals and Events: The Entroido de Verín (Carnival) is famous throughout Galicia and it offers a vibrant, cultural, and very lively experience. The town also hosts various fairs, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year.

- Cafés and Bars: Verín has a nice selection of cafés and bars where you can enjoy a quiet drink or a night out with friends. In the summer, many places have outdoor terraces that create a great atmosphere in the evenings.