Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra 
Caldas de Reis - Geography:
Caldas de Reis is a Galician municipality in the north of the province of Pontevedra. It is considered to be the garden and health resort of Galicia, crossed by the river Umia, which is characterised by its rich fish stocks.
Caldas de Reis 9,600 inhabitants, spread across the nine parishes that form the council: Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Bemil, Saiar, Godos, Carracedo, San Clemente, San Andres and Arcos da Condesa.
The local geography has smooth shapes. Caldas de Reis is situated close to a large fault that crosses Galicia, and as there is a tectonic depression at the bottom, there is a clear abundance of scarce slopes in contrast to the Xiabre mountain that borders with Cuntis.
The temperature is generally pleasant although the area has much precipitation throughout the year, with rain from the south-west penetrating through the bank of the Umia to create a lush green landscape.
Caldas de Reis - History:
Caldas is a town with prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and modern history. The first known settlers in Caldas were two groups of natives discovered by the Romans when they conquered the town: the Cilena tribe.
Ancient monuments remain in Caldas and, from the pre-Roman age, there is an altar dedicated to the native god Edovio, found in a thermal spring. Caldas also has an abundance of Roman archaeological remains, although the most significant examples are the bridges: two in the old town and two going up by the river.
During the Middle Ages, with the onset of pilgrims travelling from the south, the inhabitants built many Romanesque churches in a Portuguese Jacobean style. One famous pilgrim was Santo Tomas de Canterbury, to whom a church with this name is dedicated. When it was declared an independent town by Felipe II, noblemen from every region came to Caldas and settled there, taking advantage of the town's tax exemptions.
In 400AD, Caldas was chosen by Pope San Leon as the location to celebrate the council of Galician bishops. Caldas was also the birthplace of noble lineage sheltering the king of Castela Alfonso VII, son of Dona Urraca and Don Raimundo de Borgona, count of Galicia. This could explain the name of the council, 'de Reis'.
The king's mother had a tower castle here, which was demolished and where the church of Santo Tomas now stands. The church of San Roque still retains some of the windows of the old tower.
Caldas de Reis - Sightseeing:
Caldas de Reis has many historical landmarks where the visitor can soak up the town's rich history. The 'Prehistoric Treasure of Caldas' and the altar dedicated to Edovio (a local god), in the basin of the hot springs fountain, are both from the pre-Roman period.
The Romans arrived later and also left their mark on the region, visible today in the remaining bridges, two in the town itself and two more further up the river. The numerous Romanesque churches in the area were built during the Middle Ages and are for the most part tied to the Way of St. James from Portugal.
One of the illustrious pilgrims who passed through Caldas was St. Thomas of Canterbury, and as a result a church built in the town was named after him. The stones used to build this structure used to be part of a tower-castle that was destroyed during the Irmandinos Revolts. Some of the old tower's windows can still be admired today in St. Thomas's church.
Caldas de Reis - Activities:
There are many different hiking trails in Caldas de Reis that give you the chance to take a closer look at some of the region's natural beauty. The Ruta de los Vinos (Wine Trail) for example, leads you on a tour of the main producers of wine, while following the Ruta de las Aguas (Waters Trail) will take you past some of the loveliest spots along the shores of the Umia River. Caldas is also a prime destination for rock climbers.
Caldas de Reis attracts many tourists seeking health and well-being, who find rest and tranquility in the area's spas and hot springs.
Caldas de Reis - Our holiday accommodation and service:
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