Discover Lestedo: Festa da Filloa, Pico Sacro and hotels

Lestedo can be explored through a range of interests: the Festa da Filloa connects the town with a Galician Carnival tradition, while Pico Sacro, with its distinctive shape and views across central Galicia, offers a scenic attraction. Churches and chapels also provide insight into local history. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between calendar-dependent events, a visit to the mountain and the historic buildings.

Festa da Filloa and dates in Lestedo

The Festa da Filloa de Lestedo is designated a Festival of National Tourist Interest. It is celebrated on Piñata Sunday, the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday. Its date is therefore based on the Carnival calendar. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the event date before making your plans.

The Festa includes a gathering of the “xenerais”, traditional Carnival figures from the Ulla area. Filloa is one of Galicia’s most traditional sweet dishes and takes on particular importance in homes and restaurants during Carnival. The festival, the figures and the dish are thus linked by a shared cultural context, while the festival date should not be confused with an ordinary market day.

The Feira-mercado de Lestedo takes place on the first and third Sunday of every month. This recurring schedule offers another point of reference, independent of the festival date tied to Carnival. When planning a visit, it is therefore helpful to distinguish whether the Festa da Filloa or the regular Feira-mercado is the occasion you want to attend.

Pico Sacro: geology, views and visiting

Pico Sacro is a quartz formation created by tectonic movements. Its distinctive pyramid shape defines the mountain’s appearance. From the summit, the view extends across much of central Galicia, particularly the Ulla Valley. Pico Sacro therefore offers two notable features: its striking geological form and the expansive views of the surrounding landscape.

The Centro de Interpretación do Pico Sacro is located at the foot of the mountain in the hamlet of Cachosenande. Its permanent exhibition is titled “O Pico Sacro, nos dominios da raíña Lupa”. Information panels, a room with a photographic exhibition, and another room with a model and video explore local culture and the significance of Pico Sacro. The centre offers a cultural perspective on the mountain, while the view from the summit brings the landscape to the fore.

The Ruta do Pico Sacro starts next to the Centro de Interpretación in Cachosenande. Free guided tourist visits to Pico Sacro in Lestedo are also available by prior reservation. If you plan to join a tour, you should therefore book before your visit. Pico Sacro can be reached by private car or by bus as far as the Capela de San Sebastián, which is close to the summit; the final stretch is covered on foot. The Vía da Prata passes west of the foot of the mountain on its way to Santiago.

Churches and religious heritage

Santa María de Lestedo was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the 20th century. Its stained-glass windows date from 2005. The building thus presents two distinct dates to keep in mind: the church’s reconstruction and the later date of the windows.

Another historical trace leads to the Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes. Construction began in 1883 so that local people could attend religious services on market days. The chapel features simple architectural lines inspired by the 19th-century Historicist style. Along with the churches and chapels, four granite crosses are part of Lestedo’s religious heritage. They are decorated with representations of Christ crucified and the Virgin Mary.

Visiting and accommodation

The places and events described offer different focuses for a stay: a festival tied to Carnival, the mountain with its views and exhibition, or the religious buildings. Pilgrim groups have a separate accommodation option: they can stay overnight at the Pavillón Polideportivo de Lestedo by prior reservation. This option is intended for pilgrim groups and should be requested in advance.

For an overview of the wider area: Boqueixón.