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OURENSE
En esta ciudad el turismo activo se viene definiendo como aquel que comprende la práctica de todas las actividades deportivas que impliquen íntimo contacto con la naturaleza.
Ourense deriva de la voz germánica Wurm See (lago caliente), denominada así por las fuentes termales de Las Burgas. Durante la ocupación romana se la llamó Auria. En las actas de los Concilios de Lugo y Braga aparecen los Ourenses como los más antiguos, por lo cual la fundación del obispado se dió en la época romana.
La ciudad fue destruída por la invasión musulmana dirigida por Abdelazis, hijo de Muza. La repoblación de Ourense y la construcción de su iglesia fue obra de Alfonso II en el año 886. Las invasiones normandas y de Almanzor, se ausentaron casi un siglo, hasta la definitiva repoblación del año 1071, dirigido por el rey Sancho II.
El período de prosperidad siguió durante muchos años, bajo el reinado de Fernando II de León. En 1809, se dió la la invasión napoleónica a Oruense. Durante el siglo XIX, la ciudad vió pasar los batallones franceses de los Cien Mil Hijos de San Luis; ploclamó las Constituciones, la República y la Restauración. La construcción de la carretera de Vilacastín a Vigo, entre 1860 y 1863, provocó una transformación a la ciudad, lanzándola a un período de construcciones y vida económica de gran pujanza.
Se trata de una de las Comarcas más característica de Galicia, confina con las provincias de Pontevedra, Lugo, León y Zamora, y con la República de portugal. Tiene una extensión de 6978.71 km2.
Consta de un clima oceánico-mediterráneo. En el norte, las mayores altitudes provocan un clima más frío, con abundantes días de heladas, mientras que hacia el sur las temperaturas son más agradables. De modo general la media anual ronda los 11,2ºC. Las precipitaciones son abundantes, especialmente en el sector septentrional.
En esta ciudad el turismo activo se viene definiendo como aquel que comprende la práctica de todas las actividades deportivas que impliquen íntimo contacto con la naturaleza.
ENGLISH
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of Ourense in Galicia. Its population of 109,001 (2002) accounts for 30% of the population of the province.
Location and Climate
The ancient city of Auria is located on both banks of the Minho (Miño) River in the south-central part of Galicia, at an elevation of 128 m above sea level. The city has a microclimate that brings abundant rainfall and allows for verdant vegetation on the nearby hills. Winters are mild with lows rarely falling below zero degrees Celsius. Because of the location in the river valley summers can be quite hot, often equalling temperatures of Andalusia. Many local families have apartments on the coast (Vigo is only an hour away by car) where they can escape the heat of July and August.
The river divides a rather industrial western suburb, which contains the railroad station, from the main town. Three highway and one railroad bridge cross the river in addition to the famous Roman Bridge, which is now closed to vehicle traffic.
History
The origin of the town can be traced to the Romans and the presence of hot springs called the Burgas. These can still be seen today. There was also the need to fortify the place to protect one of the easiest ways to cross the Miño River. After the Romans, Ourense was part of the Suebi (Suevi) kingdom during most of the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries and was destroyed by the Moors in 716. It was later rebuilt by Alfonso III of Asturias about 877. The Norse invasions as well as attacks from the Arab warlord Al-Mansur once more laid the city to waste. It was only under Sancho II and his sister Doña Elvira that the city was resettled during 11th century. The definitive urban impulse did not arrive until the 12th century when Ourense became an important center of services.
Sightseeing
Although mainly a town of services, Ourense is not without its tourist sites. The town has three parts: the medieval, the area of 19th-century expansion, and the modern perimeter. Many who pass by on the highway linking Madrid to Vigo are unaware of the medieval quarter, with its narrow streets and tiny plazas. Once an area of a certain dilapidated charm the area is now undergoing renovation and is full of typical restaurants and bars patronized by the university students of the town. The Plaza Mayor is the center of city life with its arcaded shops and the simple, but beautiful Town Hall.
The cathedral is the most important monument in Ourense. This cathedral (founded 572; rebuilt in the 13th century) is the second oldest in Galicia. It occupies the same site as the Suevian basilica that stood there in earlier times. Romanesque in structure, but with a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is rather hidden away but, contains a façade with the Door of Paradise in imitation of the Door of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Inside, the Capilla del Cristo, or Christ's Chapel (16th century), contains a crucifix venerated throughout Galicia.
The Miño is crossed at Ourense by one of the most remarkable bridges in Spain, the Ponte Vella. With Roman foundations, it was reconstructed by Bishop Lorenzo in 1230 but frequently repaired since then; it has seven arches and a central span of 150 feet (45 m). Now closed to automobile traffic, it is worth a crossing to contemplate the swirling waters of the Miño below.
Another must is the former episcopal palace, which houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum. The collections found therein comprise an interesting series of the Bronze Age, as well as various Roman and Romanesque objects.
This article is licensed under the GNU
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article "Ourense.
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