Igrexa de Santa María de Vilanova

Igrexa de Santa María de Vilanova is a Romanesque church in Allariz, a small historic town in the province of Ourense, in Spain's Galicia region. It stands on Rúa Vilanova, right above the Arnoia River and just steps from the medieval Vilanova bridge, and is one of three Romanesque churches preserved within Allariz's old town.

How to get there?

Allariz sits roughly 20 km south of Ourense, which is reachable by train or bus from Santiago de Compostela or Vigo. Regional buses connect Ourense with Allariz, and once there the best way to explore is on foot — the historic centre is compact and largely pedestrianised. The church sits at the edge of the old town on the opposite bank of the river from the main square, so it's worth planning your walk across the Vilanova bridge, which offers one of the best views over the town.

What will you see?

The church was built at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, and its foundation is attributed to the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem (also known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta), who held property in the area at the time. From this original Romanesque phase the building retains a single-nave chapel layout and a striking portal on its southern facade. A 12th-century rose window above the entrance is another highlight, along with a row of carved stone corbels running beneath the apse eaves — a detail typical of Romanesque churches in this part of Galicia.

The main facade clearly shows a later reworking in the plain, rural Baroque style of the 18th century, common across Galician parish churches of that period. The bell wall, or espadaña — an open, pierced gable wall used for hanging bells, typical of northern Spain — is younger still, dating from 1853. Inside, a Baroque main altarpiece holds the image of Santa María, the town's patron saint and the church's namesake.

Allariz itself is one of the best-preserved medieval townscapes in Galicia, with stone lanes, old bridges over the Arnoia, and several other Romanesque churches nearby, making it easy to combine a visit to the Igrexa de Santa María de Vilanova with a short walk through the rest of the historic centre.

When to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best seasons, when inland Galicia enjoys mild temperatures and the riverside setting along the Arnoia looks its best. Summer brings more visitors, partly due to Allariz's proximity to the Camino de Santiago pilgrim routes, while winter offers a quieter, more relaxed visit without crowds. The church interior tends to keep limited opening hours, so it's worth checking with the local tourist office in advance, but the facade, portal, and the Vilanova bridge can be admired at any time of day.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Igrexa de Santa María de Vilanova? The church was raised in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with its construction linked to the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, who were active in the Allariz area at the time.

What is the church's most notable architectural feature? Its Romanesque southern portal and 12th-century rose window are considered the most distinctive elements, alongside the row of carved corbels beneath the apse eaves.

Is the bell tower as old as the church itself? No — the espadaña bell wall dates only from 1853, making it considerably younger than the church's Romanesque core.

Is there anything else to see near the church? Yes, the church stands right by the Vilanova bridge over the Arnoia River, and the whole historic centre of Allariz, including its other Romanesque churches, is within a few minutes' walk.