Insua dos Poetas

Insua dos Poetas is a small literary park on the banks of the Pedriña River, in the parish of Madarnás, part of the municipality of O Carballiño in the province of Ourense, Galicia. Here sculpture and poetry meet, turning a walk among the trees into an open-air reading.

Where does the park come from?

The park was founded in 2007 on the initiative of Galician poet Luis González Tosar, who set out to build a space where literature and visual art could dialogue within a natural setting. It is run by the Ínsua dos Poetas foundation, chaired by its founder, which also supports cinema, theatre and environmental initiatives while promoting Galician culture more broadly. The name honours the Galician poets whose work is commemorated through the sculptures scattered across the grounds.

What will you see while walking through it?

The heart of Insua dos Poetas is its collection of permanent art installations — sculptures in stone, bronze and weathering steel — commissioned during successive editions of the literary festival held on site. The works are dedicated to Galician writers, including Eduardo Blanco Amor and Celso Emilio Ferreiro, with quotations from their poems inscribed directly onto the pieces. The park stretches along the Pedriña riverbank amid vegetation typical of this part of Galicia, making it a place where contact with nature and reflection on the written word go hand in hand.

When is the best time to visit?

The park comes alive most fully on two occasions each year. In spring, it hosts the World Day of Trees, Water and Poetry, an educational event in which local schools take part, planting trees and joining cultural activities. In July, the Fiesta de la Palabra (Festival of the Word) brings together writers and visitors for a literary gathering during which newly commissioned sculptures are unveiled. Anyone hoping to see the park at its most culturally active should plan a visit around one of these dates, though the grounds themselves are open for walks year-round.

How do you get to Insua dos Poetas?

The park lies in the parish of Madarnás, a few kilometres from the centre of O Carballiño, a town in the province of Ourense well connected by road to the rest of Galicia. Arriving by car is the most practical option; it is worth contacting the O Carballiño tourist office (Rúa da Alameda 21A) beforehand for directions and the current schedule of events at the park.

Why is this place worth a visit?

Insua dos Poetas is a rare example of a park where public art is not an afterthought to the landscape but an integral part of it. The sculptures set among the trees along the Pedriña form a kind of literary trail, letting visitors encounter fragments of Galician poetry in a far more tangible way than any book could offer. It suits travellers looking for a quiet, small-scale destination that combines nature, art and the local cultural identity of Galicia.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? Available sources do not list formal opening hours or an admission fee — the park functions as an open public space, but it is worth confirming details with the O Carballiño tourist office before visiting.

How long does a visit take? This is a small park; walking through it and viewing the sculptures usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on your pace.

Are there activities for children? Yes — the spring World Day of Trees, Water and Poetry involves local schools and has a clearly educational focus, including tree planting.

Is the park a good stop on a Galicia road trip? Yes. Its proximity to O Carballiño and its intimate scale make it an easy, quiet stop combining nature and culture on a route through the Ourense region.