The Parador de Santo Estevo Hotel is housed in the monastery of "Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil" in Luintra, Nogueira de Ramuin (Orense). The region is also known as the cradle of the 'afiadores e paragueiros' (traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella makers).
This Benedictine monastery is located in the very heart of the Ribeira Sacra, an exceptionally beautiful natural area where the Mino and Sil rivers meet. A centre of monastic tradition, this area is now an important area of interest for tourists in Galicia.
The centre of Luintra is about 5 km away, the nearest bus and train stations can be found at Orense some 28 km away, while the nearest beach is at Vigo, located some 160 km away. Orense also offers numerous shopping opportunities. San Pedro de las Rocas is 18 km away, while Santa Cristina is 37 km away. Canones del Sil is about 8 km away.
References to the monastery's existence can found as far back as the 10th Century, although its origins appear to date back even further, to the 6th and 7th centuries. Inside, various styles can be seen from Romanesque to Baroque, and its three cloisters (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance in style) are not to be missed. These are the gate cloister, the kitchen cloister and the bishop's cloister. The latter is the only cloister in the whole of Galicia, aside from the Cathedral of Tuy, which is preserved exactly as it was originally built.
Also of particular note are the Baroque facade which dates back to the 18th Century and the 3 monumental entrance stairs, which were added in 1739. The building was declared a historic artistic monument in 1923. The air-conditioned hotel offers 77 rooms in total and offers a lobby with 24-hour reception, lift access, a cafe, restaurant and a TV room. Conference facilities and Internet/WLAN access are also offered. Guests arriving by car may wish to make use of the parking facilities.
The standard rooms at the Parador de Santo Estevo come with twin beds. An en suite bathroom, hairdryer, direct dial telephone, TV, Internet access, minibar, individually adjustable air conditioning and a safety deposit box also come as standard. |