Just a few kilometres from A Arnoia, Ribadavia is the historic capital of O Ribeiro and one of those villages best explored slowly, wandering its streets.
The Jewish quarter
Ribadavia is home to one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters on the Iberian Peninsula, a memory of a Sephardic community that was key to the wine trade. Its narrow streets, the old synagogue and the Rede de Xuderías de España make this neighbourhood an international emblem. Every year, the Festa da Istoria —in late August— transforms the village into a medieval market with its own currency.
The Castelo dos Sarmiento
Presiding over the village are the ruins of the Castelo dos Sarmiento, the fortress of the counts of Ribadavia, with its towers and its grounds open to visitors: a lookout over the rooftops and the wine valley.
Theatre and wine
In summer, the MIT — Mostra Internacional de Teatro fills the streets and courtyards with performances. And all year round, Ribadavia is the gateway to the wineries of O Ribeiro and to its famous Feira do Viño.