Church of San Martiño de Calvos

Parish: Calvos de Socamiño (San Martiño)
Location: Xunqueira

The parish church of San Martiño, built in the 18th century, is Baroque style. It is made of ashlar and rubble masonry with plastered. Among its decorative elements are pilasters at the corners, topped with pinnacles, as well as the door frames and the bell tower, all in exposed stone. The bell tower follows the distinctive of Compostela Baroque style, also present in other churches in the area.

The patron saint of the parish is Saint Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and later became a monk, eventually serving as bishop of Tours (France). He was a pioneer in introducing monastic life to Western Europe and is known for his fight against injustice and the lingering paganism in rural areas, always with a conciliatory attitude. On the church’s main façade, above the door lintel, he is depicted with the traditional attributes of a bishop, the crozier and the mitre.

The patron saint festivities in honor of San Martiño are held on November 11 and 12. However, the most prominent celebration is that of Virxen das Dores, a deeply rooted tradition celebrated on the third Sunday of July.

In many places, the celebration of San Martiño overlaps with the Magosto, one of Galicia’s most traditional festivals. The magosto usually takes place between November 1 and 11, that is, between Día de Defuntos and San Martiño. It is associated with the chestnut harvest, and it is customary to eat them roasted, together with chorizo and bread, as it coincides with the time of the traditional processing of pork for winter storage. In some inland areas of Galicia, it is also common to take the opportunity to taste the new wine.

Among the nearby places of interest, in addition to the ensemble formed by the church, the cruceiro (stone cross), and the lion-headed fountain, is the Castro de Calvos( hillfort) . Although not yet excavated, its defensive structure is still visible.

Also noteworthy is the Pazo de Rosende, not open to visitors, a heritage building of great importance that includes a chapel, hórreo (granary), cruceiro, gardens, and various traditional outbuildings. Another recommended visit is the Rosende waterfall, located along the hiking route PR-G 233. Ruta da Fervenza das Hortas ao río Lañas