Ourense, Provincial capital in Galicia, Spain
Ourense sits along the Miño River in the interior of Galicia and serves as the capital of a province by the same name. The town center consists of narrow streets that lead to small squares, framed by houses with glassed-in balconies and gray granite facades.
Settlers began gathering near natural hot springs from the 1st century BC onwards and later built a bridge across the river that lasted through the centuries. A diocese formed here in the 6th century, cementing the town's role as a religious center for many generations.
Public parks hold pools of thermal water carved into stone where local people of all ages come throughout the day and late into the evening. Dogs sometimes accompany their owners to these gathering spots, and you see groups of people dipping their feet into the warm water while chatting.
The town is easy to explore on foot in a single day, as most points of interest lie within a compact area. Shops often close on weekends and holidays, but cafés and bars around the main squares remain open.
The Roman Museum preserves inscriptions and tombstones bearing the names of women and men who lived in this area two thousand years ago. Some stones also show professions and simple drawings that offer a direct window into daily life at that time.
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