Pazo de Torres Agrelo

Pazo de Torres Agrelo is a historic Galician pazo (manor house) in Redondela, in the province of Pontevedra, standing directly on the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago. Behind its fortress-like walls lies one of the most remarkable historic gardens in the Rías Baixas area.

How do you get to Pazo de Torres Agrelo?

The manor sits at Camino Torres Agrelo 5, a short drive from downtown Redondela on the road toward Pontevedra. Redondela is part of the greater Vigo metropolitan area, so the drive from Vigo-Peinador Airport or Vigo city centre usually takes no more than 20-25 minutes. On-site parking is available for visitors. Because the property lies literally on the Camino Portugués, it is also a natural stopping point for pilgrims walking toward Santiago de Compostela, which is worth factoring into any Camino itinerary.

What is the history behind the building?

From the 16th to the 19th century, the site was occupied by a Franciscan monastery that had originally relocated here from the island of San Simón in the Vigo estuary. In 1865, the current pazo was built on the monastery's ruins, reusing much of its stone, on the orders of Marshal Rubín de Celis. In 1936 the estate was purchased by the Iturria family, of Basque-Navarrese origin, from a physician based in Vigo. During the Spanish Civil War the house served as a refuge and, at one point, as a military hospital. It stood abandoned from around 1960 until the turn of the 21st century, when the Marcote family acquired it and carried out a thorough restoration, reopening it to visitors.

What can you see inside and in the gardens?

The pazo itself has a rectangular floor plan flanked by two crenellated towers, with a continuous balcony running along the first-floor façade — the source of its fortress-like silhouette. Inside, chestnut-wood staircases survive alongside polychrome stained glass in some doors and windows and Triana tiles in the entrance hall.

It is the surrounding eight-hectare garden, though, that draws most attention. Terraced grounds with fountains and artificial grottoes conceal a working vineyard and a collection of exceptionally old trees. The prize specimen is a Camellia sasanqua 'Barão de Soutelinho', roughly 150 years old and 7 metres tall, considered the largest example of this variety in Spain. Two equally aged Camellia japonica trees reach 10 metres, a giant thuja (western red cedar) stands around 17 metres tall — the thickest specimen recorded in Galicia — and an araucaria tops 30 metres. A traditional Galician hórreo, a raised stone-and-wood granary, completes the grounds.

Can you stay overnight or hold an event here?

Today Pazo de Torres Agrelo operates as a rural hotel and event venue. Guests have access to 9 en-suite rooms furnished in period style, plus a games room. The property specialises in weddings, both civil and religious, along with baptisms and communions, hosted either outdoors among the gardens or in the interior halls. It stays open year-round except over the Christmas period, and booking ahead is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Pazo de Torres Agrelo from central Redondela? Just a few minutes by car from the town centre, on the road heading toward Pontevedra.

Can the gardens be visited without booking a room or an event? The pazo operates as a private hotel and event venue, so garden access is normally tied to a stay or a booked celebration — it is best to check by phone in advance.

What is the garden's most notable feature? A Camellia sasanqua 'Barão de Soutelinho' over 150 years old, regarded as the largest specimen of its kind in Spain, alongside centuries-old Camellia japonica trees and a giant thuja.

Does the pazo have a connection to the Camino de Santiago? Yes, the building stands directly on the Portuguese Camino route, which makes it a popular stop for pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela.