A Guarda grew around its fishing harbour at the mouth of the Rio Miño, beneath Monte Santa Trega. Its medieval centre was enclosed by a small defensive wall, and a hospital near the northern gate accommodated poor travellers and pilgrims.
Fishing remains part of everyday life around the harbour, where the fleet, fish market and narrow former fishermen's houses survive beside the waterfront.
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Castro de Santa Trega
This large fortified settlement on Monte Santa Trega developed from the Iron Age into the Roman period and reached its height around the turn of the era. More than 20 hectares were occupied, although only a small part has been excavated; among the visible remains are stone houses, streets and two reconstructed dwellings. The summit also overlooks the mouth of the Miño, Atlantic coast and Portugal.
Ermida de Santa Trega
A chapel dedicated to Santa Trega is documented on the summit by the 12th century, although the present building largely dates from later rebuilding. Excavations nearby uncovered Visigothic graves, showing that the summit had a Christian religious use long before the present chapel.
Igrexa de Santa María
Originally Romanesque, the Igrexa de Santa María was enlarged in the 16th century and later given its Baroque main facade. Inside are two images of Santiago: a carved figure in the retable of the Virxe do Rosario and a painting showing Santiago Matamoros at the Battle of Clavijo.
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