Now your path will take you along the course of the river Minho. In Crecente, bordering Ourense, you will find the tower of Fornelos (2) on the bank of the river Ribadil.

The imposing castle of Soutomaior was the nerve centre of southern Galicia during the 15th century.

There, Madruga held the bishop of Tui, Diego de Muros, prisoner. As with his predecessors, Pedro Álvarez de Sotomayor' s noble titles included that of viscount of the border town of Tui, and his disagreements with the bishops were constant.

Follow the nobleman's trail to Sobroso Castle (3), a monumental watchtower in Mondariz, and from there immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 15th century while enjoying the views from over 300 metres above sea level.

From there you will go down to the fortress of Salvaterra de Miño (4), a town that was the subject of a dispute between the Sotomayor and Sarmiento families. Now it is the turn of the historic town of Tui (5), of which the protagonist of our story was a viscount. Take the time to stroll around its charming monumental centre, where the Sephardic mark still survives.

Baiona (6), on the Vigo estuary and next stop, boasts the majestic fortress of Monte Boi, now a Parador Nacional. The Catholic Monarchs appointed Garci Méndez de Sotomayor, son-in-law of our protagonist, as governor. Enjoy the views of the Cíes Islands and stroll around this historic town.

The real Christopher Columbus?

Christopher Columbus shared friends and enemies with Madruga, protected his children and named more than a hundred places in the New World with place names linked to As Rías Baixas. These coincidences have given rise to a solid theory that suggests that the nobleman from As Rías Baixas may have used the name of Columbus in the last part of his life. In enmity with the Catholic Monarchs at that stage, the purpose would have been to entrust navigation secrets to the monarchs under another identity in exchange for important concessions.

It continues to Vigo (7), the largest city in Galicia, with a lively old town and beautiful viewpoints. Pedro Madruga obtained from Henry IV an interest in the rents of the city, neighbouring Redondela, and Pontevedra.

Your route takes you to the tower of A Lanzada ( 8), located in a beautiful spot with A Illa de Ons in front, one of the jewels of the Illas Atlánticas National Park, and between magnificent beaches. It suffered the consequences of the rebellion of the Irmandiños, against whom Madruga fought, and was demolished, as was the church of San Sadurniño in Cambados (9), the last stop on the Madruga route. It was destroyed in the revolts and restored by the Sotomayor family in 1709.

Are you ready for the route?