Ourense, Spain

The origins of Ourense can be traced back to the Romans. The city has a troubled past. Destroyed more than once - by the Svevi in ​​463, rebuilt by Alfonso III in 877, but burned to the ground again by the Moors and Normans in 970. Having suffered Scandinavian invasions, as well as attacks by the Arab leader Al Mansur, Ourense was again cremated to be resurrected and settled in the 11th century with Sancho II and his sister Donna Elvira. The rise of the city from the ashes continued until the twelfth century, when Ourense became an important center of services.
Geographically, the city is surrounded on all sides by mountains. They managed to isolate the historic Ourense from the more populated Galician coast, encouraging emigration to the rest of Spain and the New World. The main river system is the Mino-Sil, the fertile valley of which produces corn and grapes for wine, and their waters have been used for the production of hydroelectric energy. Although it is a center of services, Ourense is not deprived of tourist sites. The city has three parts: the medieval, the 19th century area and the modern perimeter.
Although small, Ourense has its own cathedral, built in 572, which is the second oldest in Galicia. It is located next to the Suevian Basilica, which dates back to earlier times. With a Roman accent in the architecture, but with a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic style, the cathedral has a facade depicting the Gates of Paradise, approaching the Gate of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. 
The cathedral has access to one of the most charming squares - Praza de Ferro, dotted with remarkable medieval wooden houses.
Ourense proudly guards one of the most remarkable bridges in Spain - the Roman Bridge. It was restored in the Middle Ages by pilgrims flocking to Santiago. The former Episcopal Palace houses the Archaeological Museum, which has become home to collections of Celtic and Roman and an interesting series from the Bronze Age.
Except that Ourense is a beautiful old town with many monumental buildings, both religious and civic. A full tour of the old city can be planned in one day, including prominent religious buildings, Roman spas and shopping areas, as well as many architectural treasures.
The atmosphere of the city is also very different from the big cities of La Coruna, closer to that of Lugo or even Pontevedra. Ourense generally gives you the opportunity to see what Galicia largely embodies. The appearance of the city is impressive and although it is not a major tourist center, the tourism contributes somewhat to the economy: the exciting landscapes of river valleys, as well as the preserved medieval cities of Allariz and Ribadavia, develop Ourense as a favorite tourist destination.