Fortress of San Paio, Medieval fortress in Xiá Friol, Spain
The Fortress of San Paio is a manor house in Xiá, Friol, featuring a central structure and a prominent tower known as the Homenaxe Tower along with additional defensive turrets around its perimeter. The building clearly shows its defensive purpose through solid stonework and strategically positioned towers.
The fortress was first documented in 1350 and suffered damage during the Irmandiños peasant uprising in the 15th century. Over the following centuries, it underwent several reconstructions and structural changes.
The manor house was converted into an ethnographic museum in 1983, displaying objects and collections that reflect the daily life and craft traditions of the region. Visitors can see how people in Galicia lived and worked in earlier times.
The museum is accessible under the administration of the Provincial Museums Network of Lugo and is located in Torre de Xiá in the village of Narla. You can reach it via local roads, and the basic structure remains intact for exploration.
The different construction phases are visible in varying masonry techniques and building styles that show how the structure was adapted and reinforced over many generations. These layers of architecture tell the story of the changing needs and possibilities of its inhabitants.
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