Explorations of a city still protected by its Ancient Roman walls.
Lugo is located in the region of Galicia, in northern Spain. Lugo is known for its Ancient Roman walls. But, these are not just ordinary Roman walls. They are intact and completely surround the city center of Lugo. These walls are unique as they are the most intact Ancient Roman walls that still surround a modern city in the world. They are amazing.
The walls of Lugo were constructed in the 3rd century CE. Lugo started off as a military camp in 13 BCE and grew into a sizable city. The city remained important in the area from Roman times to the modern period.
Wandering Jana City Hall of Lugo. After a rainy morning, it was weirdly sunny once I got to Lugo.
Wandering Jana There are some gorgeous buildings around the Praza Maior (“Main Plaza” in Galician).
Wandering Jana Porta do Bispo Aguirre, one of the modern gates that were put into the walls in the 19th century.
Wandering Jana Those are some gorgeous walls.
Wandering Jana Cathedral of Lugo’s back end.
Wandering Jana I love this door.
Wandering Jana The cathedral’s front end. They don’t let you take photos even though you pay. I didn’t go in because it was just soooooo nice outside.
Wandering Jana I went up a ramp thinking it was an overlook and it turned out to be the city walls. You can walk the entire circumference!
Wandering Jana This was so neat!
Wandering Jana 88 towers are remain, some in better condition.
Wandering Jana A bit different, but still fantastic.
Wandering Jana Getting a tour of Lugo walking along the walls.
Wandering Jana The walls are 2,120 meters (6,960 ft) long.
Wandering Jana The city expanded outside the perimeter of the walls even before the walls were built. It was probably not practical to wall the entire city.
Wandering Jana There was some protest going on with tractors. It was a nightmare trying to get into the city center to access a parking garage. I ended up at the one farthest from where I was staying.
Wandering Jana Buildings along a road goes around the walls. A lot of these seem to be 19th century.
Wandering Jana More 19th century buildings.
Wandering Jana Back on the ground. I walked along about 2/3rds of the walls.
Wandering Jana I had to come down to see the Porta de San Pedro, one of the original gates.
Wandering Jana One of the towers was partially enclosed. Pretty cool.
Wandering Jana A bit more explorations of the city while the sun starts to go down.
Wandering Jana Diputación Provincial de Lugo, the administrative center of the province of Lugo.
Wandering Jana San Froilán. There’s a great parking garage under this. I had to grab something from the car and found this gorgeous church.
Wandering Jana I love this!
Wandering Jana Cute city.
Wandering Jana Domus Mitreo, which as the ruins of a villa that was later converted into a Mithraeum, which was a temple of Mithras. They tended to be dark and underground.
Wandering Jana Ruins of the villa. They built the walls right through the villa.
Wandering Jana Right through the villa’s peristyle.
Wandering Jana Someone later on dug a well through the remains of the villa.
Wandering Jana Lugo was certainly fun to explore.
Lugo is a fantastic place to spend at least a day at. It’s not far from either León or Santiago de Compostela. There are several small museums to visit and an entire walls system to walk along.
Tune in for my next update where I explore the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela!
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure!
Share this:
Discover more from Wandering Jana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
