Donís: Waterfalls, Traditional Architecture and Rock Carvings

Donís brings together a striking watercourse, traditional architecture and archaeological rock carvings. Local landmarks include the Rego de Bous and Fervenza das Pontes, granaries, two petroglyphs, the Ponte Romana and a path to the Ponte de Castelo.

Watercourse and access

The Rego de Bous, also known as the Rego de Piornedo, rises in Penalonga and flows into the Río das Pontes as a tributary of the Río Ser. Several small waterfalls, pools and rapids form along its entire course. The alternative name Rego de Piornedo refers to the same stream. To reach the Fervenza das Pontes, go through the village of Donís: head downhill towards the church of San Fiz, then continue to the bridge over the Rego de Bous. The terrain is difficult; take this into account when planning your visit.

Traditional architecture in Donís

The Casa-torre de Donís is one of the most distinctive buildings in Cervantes. Pallozas are part of Cervantes’s traditional vernacular architecture in Donís. The granaries in Donís are built in the Becerreá style. They stand on conical granite supports topped with round stone discs to keep out mice. Their grain chambers are made of wide chestnut planks with no openings. The granaries have four-sided slate roofs with wide overhanging eaves that protect them from rain and snow. Their construction therefore clearly distinguishes the base, grain chamber and roof.

Petroglyphs: shapes and measurements

The Petroglifo da Campa de Campo Redondo consists of 12 round cup marks, 3 to 9 centimetres in diameter and up to 1 centimetre deep. There are also nine oval cup marks. The largest oval cup mark measures 11 × 7 centimetres and is 2.5 centimetres deep. The Petroglifo dos Montes de Robledo comprises at least 28 cup marks carved into a rock that slopes slightly westwards. They range from 3 to 7 centimetres in diameter; a central group forms a semicircle. The difference lies in their shape and arrangement: Campa de Campo Redondo has round and oval cup marks, while at Montes de Robledo a central group forms a semicircle.

Bridges, mill and paths

The Ponte Romana, also known as Pontevella, is in the parish of Donís near the Acea das Pontes. The residents of the parish of Donís used the Acea das Pontes to grind grain. A path leads from Donís to the Ponte de Castelo and can be continued as far as the Souto de Xantes. The Ponte Romana’s location is associated with its proximity to the Acea das Pontes; for the Ponte de Castelo, the relevant connection is the path from Donís.

Carnival and weddings

Historically, on Shrove Tuesday, women in Donís played tambourines, danced and made guttural cries. At weddings, women played tambourines and sang. Both occasions featured tambourine playing, but Carnival also included dancing and cries, while weddings featured singing.

Discover more destinations: A Airoá, O Corral de Abaixo, Viveiro, Antas De Ulla, Baleira, Santo Estevo, Meirengos, O Corgo

For the broader travel overview: Lugo.