Ourense, Administrative province in Galicia, Spain.
Ourense is an administrative unit in southeastern Galicia, marked by forested mountains and river valleys that wind between steep slopes. The landscape shifts between terraced vineyards on sunny hillsides and dense green undergrowth in shaded gorges.
Roman engineers built baths and roads here to use the hot springs that already attracted travelers back then. During the Middle Ages monasteries and churches appeared along the river valleys, which became pilgrimage routes and trade paths.
The region is known for its water festivals and the preservation of local dialects that carry distinctive Galician sounds. In the villages you can still find traditional hórreos, stone granaries that show the farming heritage.
Most thermal springs are publicly accessible and located near rivers, allowing a visit in any season. Many hiking trails follow old pilgrimage paths and offer good viewpoints over the valleys.
Some of the thermal springs reach temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) and bubble right at the riverbank, where you can swim in cold water and switch to the hot pool. The deepest river valleys form gorges where vines grow on nearly vertical rock walls.
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