Who hasn’t ever fantasized about visiting The Shire? That idyllic setting where the hobbits live in The Lord of the Rings seems the perfect destination to enjoy the harmony and the tranquility enjoyed by its peculiar inhabitants. The only sorrow is that this bucolic enclave of Middle-earth belongs only to the realm of fiction. But not all news is bad: there are real destinations that resemble quite closely what is shown in the films of the legendary saga, and you don’t have to travel to New Zealand to see it.
In Galicia, specifically in the province of Pontevedra, there exists one of those places that has managed to capitalize on its similarity to the homeland of Frodo Baggins. We are talking about Lalín, the town known as Galicia’s Kilometre Zero as it sits in the center of the Autonomous Community, where its nature, a rich heritage and an even more noteworthy gastronomy make it one of those lesser-known destinations worth visiting.
A large part of Lalín’s charm lies in its natural spaces, where a true spectacle of colors, sounds and aromas is created, inspiring peace, rest and the feeling of having moved light-years away from the chaos and noise that form the soundtrack of routine. Among them, the Forest of Catasós, declared a Natural Monument in 2000 and surrounded by oaks and chestnuts where you can escape by following the marked circular trail.
The oaks present in this forest and in many others in the municipality play a fundamental role in Galician nature and history, so much so that Lalín has its own oak grove composed of centennial trees. It is not just any forest: it is a showcase of mastery no matter how you look at it, for the group of oaks forms a silhouette that is perfectly aligned and moving.
Restaurante Fogar de Breogán, Lalín
These and other natural spaces in Lalín are largely responsible for the region being equated with a fantasy setting, and there are enclaves that have taken this similarity literally. The most evident is the Fogar de Breogán restaurant, where Galician culinary tradition blends with the essence of facilities that aim to recreate the houses of the comarca and where you will feel, at last, inside one of the most famous sagas in history.
In addition to an idyllic setting, this singular restaurant offers a selection of typical Galician dishes acclaimed by all visitors. On its menu, specializing in grilled meats, you can also find delights such as pigs’ ears or Padrón peppers, or desserts like cheesecake or filloas, not to mention the mythical Lalín cocido, which is, in itself, a perfect excuse to visit this corner of Galicia.
What to visit in Lalín beyond its cinema-like landscapes
But in addition to dreamlike nature, a cuisine that can make you salivate just thinking about it, and its reinforced resemblance to this movie set, Lalín also has a historical heritage that deserves – and a lot – to be explored. One of the places of greatest tourist interest is the Pazo de Liñares. Built in the 17th century in Baroque style, this manor was one of the most important meeting points of the 19th century, and figures such as Emilia Pardo Bazán or the aviator Joaquín Loriga Taboada passed through it.
Pazo de Liñares, Lalín
The complex of buildings that make up the manor includes the main house, a chapel, a kiln or a shed, among others, and it was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2009. In addition, several of the rooms of the central building host the Museum of Toys and Puppets, where pieces from different eras are exhibited that, together with the splendor of the manor itself, make it one of those visits worth doing.
Other manors of equal relevance in Lalín are the Pazo de Anzuxao and the Pazo de Bendoiro, both built in the 16th century. Of traditional Galician style, they perfectly represent the essence of the region’s popular civil architecture and the rich historical legacy of the area that visitors can learn about as they approach these buildings.
Ponte dos Cabalos, Lalín
The medieval bridges of Lalín are also an important part of its aesthetic identity. The Ponte dos Cabalos was built over the Arnego River in the 10th century and is one of the oldest structures in the region. This stone bridge is also known as the “ponte do portádego,” since in its origins it was necessary to pay a toll to cross it.
The Ponte Taboada, also from the 10th century, was part of the road that connected Santiago and Ourense. Located in one of the most beautiful natural corners of this Galician town, this bridge plays a fundamental role in the Camino de Santiago, as it is part of the route that pilgrims who choose the Via de la Plata or the Winter Camino take.
Finally, a special mention deserves to go to the sculptures that adorn its streets. Of all sizes and styles, they are a manifestation of local art, with the most representative being the bronze pig monument, the pilgrims, or the imposing Monument to Joaquín Loriga, made of granite and bronze and located at the site where the old medieval tower stood and that today is one of the town’s main meeting points.
