Church of San Martiño de Pazo

The Church of San Martiño de Pazó stands on the edge of Allariz, a small town in the province of Ourense, in Spain's Galicia region. It is one of the few surviving pre-Romanesque buildings in the area, and its modest structure carries over a thousand years of history.

What makes this church stand out?

The building is considered an example of Mozarabic architecture, most likely raised in the 10th century — though the exact date remains uncertain, since the earliest records about the site are fragmentary. It is a single-nave church that has kept its original walls and the layout of its lateral window openings, making it a rare surviving witness to pre-Romanesque construction in the region.

The most distinctive feature is the church's doorways: horseshoe arches framed by an alfiz (a rectangular molding surrounding the arch). This motif, typical of Mozarabic art, points to clear Islamic influence that reached the Iberian Peninsula in the medieval period and filtered into the religious architecture of Christian northern Spain.

How do we know the church is this old?

A donation document from the late 10th century suggests that a church already stood here between 930 and 942, known then as San Martín de Palaciolo — the predecessor of today's San Martiño de Pazó. It was likely one of the so-called double monasteries (housing both monks and nuns), founded by Galician nobility during the 9th and 10th centuries — a common arrangement in early medieval Galicia, where local lords established small religious communities on their own estates.

The church did not survive unchanged, however. Renovations carried out in the 17th century altered part of its original structure, though the oldest elements — particularly the doorways and sections of the walls — remain visible today.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Right next to the church stands an 18th-century building that now serves as the parish house. It was originally the bishop's summer pazo, a Galician manor house where the local bishop would spend part of the year away from the city. The pairing of the ancient church with the baroque-era manor gives a clear sense of how the site's role shifted over the centuries — from an early medieval religious center to the residence of a church dignitary.

Given its historical value, the Church of San Martiño de Pazó was declared a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) back in 1931, one of the earliest such designations in the region.

How to get there and when to visit?

The church sits on the outskirts of Allariz, a town known for its well-preserved medieval center, which makes it a convenient base for a visit. Daytime is the best time to come, when light falls clearly on the doorways and stone framing — the main draw of the site. Pairing the visit with a walk through Allariz itself, just a few minutes away, is well worth the extra time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Church of San Martiño de Pazó built? Most likely in the 10th century, though documents suggest an earlier church stood on the site as far back as 930-942.

What architectural style does the church represent? Pre-Romanesque, with clear Mozarabic influence visible especially in the horseshoe arches of the doorways, framed by an alfiz.

Has the church survived in its original form? Partially. The walls and lateral openings date to the original building, but 17th-century renovations altered part of its structure.

What stands next to the church? An 18th-century building, once the bishop's summer manor, now serving as the parish house.