Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Natural Park, Nature reserve in Ourense, Spain.
Baixa Limia - Serra do Xurés Natural Park is a nature reserve spanning diverse terrain marked by granite outcrops, cascading waterfalls, and mountain peaks along the Spanish-Portuguese border. The landscape includes expansive forests and river valleys that shape the character of the region.
The park was established in 1993 as a protected area containing traces of Roman roads, particularly the Via Nova that connected Braga to Astorga through mountain passes. This ancient trade route shaped how people and goods moved through the region for centuries.
The villages within the park feature traditional stone buildings and raised granaries called hórreos that reflect how local communities organized their farming life. These structures show the customs and rhythms of settlement in this mountain region.
The area is accessible through marked hiking trails that also accommodate horseback riding and vehicle access in certain sections. Interpretation centers and lodging options are available in nearby villages like Lobios to help plan your visit.
The Couto Mixto was a historical territory where inhabitants could choose between Spanish or Portuguese citizenship upon marriage, creating an unusual cross-border arrangement. This arrangement made the borderland a culturally distinct space where people navigated dual national ties.
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