Castle of Soutomaior, Medieval castle in Soutomaior, Spain.
Castle of Soutomaior is a medieval fortress in the municipality of Soutomaior, in the province of Pontevedra, Spain. Two main towers are linked by a residential wing, and the whole structure sits within a double ring of walls on a hillside.
The fortress was rebuilt in the 15th century by Pedro Álvarez de Soutomaior after the Irmandiño revolts had left it badly damaged. In the 19th century it passed to the Bugallal family, who gave the building its current Neo-Gothic appearance.
The castle takes its name from the municipality where it stands, reflecting how closely tied the building has always been to local identity. Inside, the rooms are arranged to show how a Galician noble household was run, from the hall to the private quarters.
Three walking paths cross the gardens and wooded areas around the castle, so visitors can choose their own pace and route. Sturdy shoes are a good idea since some sections run over uneven ground and tree roots.
The camellia collection growing around the castle is one of the oldest in Galicia, with some specimens said to date back to the 19th century. A few of these plants have grown so large over time that they look more like small trees than garden shrubs.
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