Pazo de A Parda

Pazo de A Parda is a 17th-century Galician manor house standing on the southern edge of Pontevedra, in the parish of Marcón, right on the boundary with the settlement of O Marco.

What is Pazo de A Parda?

A pazo is the classic Galician country estate, combining a noble residence with a working farm. This particular manor's documented history goes back to 1620, a date carved into stone on one of the fountains in its garden. The estate was founded by the Malvar brothers, clergymen who served as deans of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In the early 20th century it became the summer residence of Gabino Bugallal Araújo, 2nd Count of Bugallal, an influential government minister who briefly held the post of President of the Council of Ministers of Spain following the assassination of Prime Minister Eduardo Dato. The main house is topped by a battlemented tower and rises over a ground floor and two upper storeys; inside it once held twelve bedrooms alongside grand rooms such as a dining hall, a drawing room, a library and a study, plus a wine cellar and a cider press. The estate also includes a Baroque stone chapel with a rectangular floor plan that can hold up to forty people, a Portuguese-style caretaker's house, stables, a hay barn, and a typical Galician hórreo — a granary raised on twelve stone pillars.

How do you get there?

Pazo de A Parda sits just south of the A Parda neighborhood, near Avenida Conde de Bugallal and the PO-542 road, a short drive from downtown Pontevedra. It makes an easy stop if you're already exploring the city — only a few minutes by car from the historic center. Keep in mind this is private property, currently on the market, so it isn't open for interior visits; it can only be viewed from the surrounding streets.

What can you see from outside?

Walking around the area, you'll spot the manor's distinctive battlemented tower and the stone walls of the main house. The chapel sits directly on Calle O Marco and the old royal road, the Camino Real, so its Baroque facade is visible from the public street without entering the grounds. It's a good chance to take in the atmosphere of Galicia's old landed gentry and see how the region's noble families once lived in the countryside.

When should you visit?

Since the pazo is only seen from the outside, daytime hours work best, giving you good natural light for photographing the architecture. Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons in Galicia, with mild temperatures and less rain than winter, making a walk around the estate more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Pazo de A Parda? No — it's a private residence, currently for sale, and not open to the public inside. It can only be viewed from outside.

How old is the estate? Its documented history dates back to 1620, though the estate's origins as a noble property may be even older.

Who founded Pazo de A Parda? It was founded by the Malvar brothers, clergymen who served as deans of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

How far is it from central Pontevedra? The pazo lies on the city's southern edge, in the parish of Marcón, near Avenida Conde de Bugallal — just a few minutes' drive from the historic center.