Pazo de Sandrenzo

Pazo de Sandrenzo is a historic Galician manor house standing in the hamlet of Cespón, within the municipality of Boiro, in the province of A Coruña. Also known as Pazo de Sandrezo o Caamaño, the estate has belonged for centuries to one of the region's notable noble families and remains privately owned today.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The pazo sits within the parish of Cespón, a short drive from the center of Boiro, on the Rías Baixas coast of Galicia. Driving is the easiest option: the trip from Santiago de Compostela takes roughly 40–45 minutes, and it's even quicker from Padrón or Rianxo. Regional buses reach Boiro itself, but the estate is tucked among the rural lanes of Cespón, so a car makes the final stretch far more convenient. The local tourist office in Boiro can point visitors toward walking routes that pass near the property.

What will you see at Pazo de Sandrenzo?

The building follows an L-shaped floor plan, typical of Galician noble residences. Its façade is decorated with two galleries and stone coats of arms belonging to four different families — Reino, Caamaño, Lamas, and Romero da Costa — a clear sign of the intertwined lineages that governed the estate across generations. The grounds include a private chapel dating from the late 17th century, built in 1690, made up of two sections with a doorway framed by a semicircular arch. Next to the chapel stands a stone wayside cross (cruceiro), along with a traditional Galician raised granary (hórreo) resting on stone pillars — both classic features of a rural manor in this part of Spain. Because the pazo is privately owned, the interior is generally not open to visitors, but the building's exterior, the chapel, the cross, and the granary are all clearly visible from outside and make a worthwhile stop on a short walk or a tour of the pazos scattered around Boiro.

What is the history behind the pazo?

The estate's story is tied to the Caamaño family, an old Galician noble lineage that from the 16th century onward held authority not only over this property but also over the areas of present-day Noia and Rianxo. Over time, through marriage and inheritance, the Reino, Lamas, and Romero da Costa lines joined the Caamaño family tree — their coats of arms still adorn the façade today. Later, the estate was also connected to the Patiño family. This layered family history explains the building's rich heraldic decoration and makes it one of the more interesting examples of noble architecture in the municipality of Boiro, home to several similar pazos worth combining into a single route.

When is the best time to visit?

The Rías Baixas region is at its most pleasant in spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild and the surrounding countryside is at its greenest. Summer brings more visitors to Boiro thanks to its nearby beaches, making it easy to pair a stop at the pazo with time by the sea. Winter in Cespón tends to be misty and rainy, but that same weather gives the stone architecture of the pazo and its green surroundings a particularly atmospheric character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Pazo de Sandrenzo? No — the building is privately owned and not open to the public inside. You can, however, view the façade, chapel, cross, and granary from outside.

Where does the name Pazo de Sandrezo o Caamaño come from? It combines the place name Sandrenzo/Sandrezo with the surname of the Caamaño family, who governed the estate from the 16th century onward.

What else is worth seeing besides the main building? The chapel dating from 1690, a stone wayside cross, and a traditional Galician granary (hórreo), all standing on the grounds.

Are there other similar pazos in Boiro? Yes, the municipality of Boiro has several historic pazos that can be combined into a single sightseeing route around the area.