Pazo Quintans

Pazo Quintans is a 17th-century Galician manor house (pazo) standing in the parish of Noalla, within the municipality of Sanxenxo, in the province of Pontevedra. The building rises on the base of a 15th-century defensive tower, and its present form dates from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The estate is listed as a Galician cultural heritage asset (Bien de Interés Cultural) and has recently reopened to visitors following a thorough restoration funded by the Sanxenxo town council.

What does the manor house look like?

The building has two storeys and an L-shaped layout, typical of Galician noble residences from this period. Its most distinctive feature is a wooden gallery (galería), which opens onto views over the Arousa and Pontevedra estuaries — two neighbouring inlets along the Rías Baixas coastline. A granite stone wall encloses the whole property, which covers roughly 10,000 square metres. Within the grounds stand a 17th-century chapel and a large, raised hórreo, the traditional Galician granary built on stone or wooden legs to keep stored grain dry and away from rodents.

Who owns it and what is it used for today?

Pazo Quintans belongs to the municipality of Sanxenxo. After the restoration works were completed, the property was converted into a centre dedicated to the gastronomic culture of the Rías Baixas region. The project was designed to open the historic site to a wider public and turn it into a venue promoting local cuisine and Galician culinary traditions. Its status as a protected cultural asset was one of the reasons behind the decision to restore and repurpose the building rather than let it fall into disuse.

Why does the setting matter?

Sanxenxo sits on the Rías Baixas coast, where the Arousa and Pontevedra estuaries meet the Atlantic. Pazo Quintans, rising within the parish of Noalla, benefits directly from this location: the view from its gallery takes in the open waters of both rías. Beyond its historical value, the estate therefore also has a strong scenic appeal, reinforcing its place among the municipality's points of interest.

What sets this pazo apart from other manor houses in the area?

Unlike many privately owned pazos in Galicia that remain closed to the public, Pazo Quintans has been transformed into a public, cultural venue. The combination of historic elements — the tower, the chapel, the hórreo and the granite perimeter wall — with its new role as a centre for regional gastronomy makes it a clear example of heritage adapted to present-day tourism needs without losing the character of the original estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Pazo Quintans located? In the parish of Noalla, within the municipality of Sanxenxo, province of Pontevedra, on the Rías Baixas coast of Galicia.

How old is the building? Its current form dates from the late 16th or early 17th century, built on the base of a 15th-century defensive tower.

Who owns it and what is it used for now? The pazo belongs to the Sanxenxo town council. After restoration, it was converted into a centre for the gastronomic culture of the Rías Baixas region.

What else can be seen on the estate besides the main house? Within the granite-walled grounds, covering around 10,000 square metres, stand a 17th-century chapel and a large traditional hórreo (raised granary).