Vigo-a-go-go

We have been enjoying Vigo so much we decided to stay longer. It's a nice feeling not having to rush on to the next place and to really get to know Vigo,  learn some more about its proud history and experience the culture. The weather has been fantastic,  we've been glad not to have been hiking with our backpacks on as the last week has been  clear skies and 28°C+ temps.

A few days ago we took a hike up Monte O Castro,  the hill just behind the city. 

Fantastic elevation and great views over the port and out to the Cies Islands. The cool thing about this town is that whilst it's on the side of a hill,  they have  street elevators so  if you can't manage the stairs you have a way of getting about. So useful for the senior/retired folks with their shopping bags.

The fort / Castelo O Castro at the top has been beautifully maintained and you got a real sense of how vital the huge thick walls were during battles and attacks. 

You're on top of the city up there, great for  a picnic as there were so many pretty spots to admire the views, historic relics, cannons and there's even an archeological site that dates back to 1-3rd century BC! 

We visited during the week but I imagine the tracks/trails would be busy at the weekend with the locals that live in the high rise apartment blocks alongside the park.

Another day we walked to the Museo Quinones de Leon. 

 It's a 17th century grand house in the Parque Castrelos. Check out the blue skies, no filter! It was roasting this day and we passed many pilgrims heavy laden with big packs looking hot and bothered. Not us, we were playing tourists having hung up our pilgrim hiking boots for a few days. 

The beautiful Museo Quinones de Leon is totally free to visit and along with stunning artwork it houses a small museum.

The museum showcased archeological finds from the city dating back to the middle ages.

The funerary stones were impressive. 

There were so many stunning artifacts, tools, implements that had been unearthed and now thankfully preserved to tell part of Vigo's history.

We saw mummified remains that had been discovered in what they believe to be an ancient hospital area of Vigo. Incredible to see.

Like every grand house of this age there was of course a beautiful little chapel with an impressive alter screen. 

We saw a stunning collection of Galician artwork and European paintings from the 17th to 18th centuries. 

You could just wander room to room across two floors and get a sense of how a grand house like this would have functioned.

They must have had an army of servants to keep the fires burning in the huge hearths.

There was only one other couple wandering about. I couldn't believe more tourists weren't beating a path to this treasure trove of Vigo's history. It had it all, museum, art, stately home, stunning gardens and all free to the public.

The outdoor spaces were equally stunning.  You picked a path and just wandered where it led you. 

There were water gardens, shade arbours, secret gardens and all beautifully paved and cared for. I know if I lived in the apartments accross  the road this would be where I'd bring a book on a sunny day.

The traditional knot garden was impressive! 

We were serenaded by a loud frog chorus, there was definitely love action in the ponds!

 The parks and gardens are in  peak spring lushness,  the trees especially are spectacular for any tree lovers out there.

That's a wrap from a few days exploring Vigo. On our explorations we discovered a cafe that did eggs bene! A nice change from our usual  granola and we'd walked it off by lunch time  with all our hill walking 😁.