Jardines del Castillo de Soutomaior
The botanical garden of the Castle of Soutomaior was started in 1870 by the Marquises of Vega de Armijo. Considered the most important garden in Galicia, it contains a great variety of species: sequoias, palms, cedars of Lebanon, thousand-year-old chestnuts, magnolias and more than five hundred camellias. It was the first garden in Spain and the seventh in Europe to be awarded the status of Camellia Garden of Excellence. The grounds surrounding the castle cover an area of 25 hectares and offer other attractions, such as the Marchioness Fountain, located inside the garden, or the Church of San Caetano, on the highest part of the site.
Services
- Information point: Sí
- Cafetería / Restaurante: Sí
- Instalaciones Infantiles: Sí
- Merendero: Sí
Activities
- Actividad: para niños, para familias
Features
Opening hours Winter opening times: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 19.00. Summer opening times: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 21.00. Descripción del recurso It was the first garden in Spain and the seventh in Europe to be awarded the status of Camellia Garden of Excellence. Flora y Fauna terrestra autóctona The gardens contain unique species that can grow very large, including thousand-year-old chestnuts, giant sequoias, palms, cedars of Lebanon, orange trees, eucalyptus, European silver firs, ferns, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendron and monumental camellias which are among the first in Spain (and the two with the highest multi-stem perimeter of Galicia). Since it became the property of the Provincial Council of Pontevedra, several specimens have been added every year and the camellia collection is over five hundred shrubs, including the most valuable one: the Japanese camellia tree with the highest perimeter of Spain. It is situated by a path in the park’s meadow and it is four metres tall and has eight different arms. Other species present are the walnut, lemon and cherry trees.Flora y Fauna acuática autóctona Bright coloured fish, water lilies and other aquatic plants can be found in the several ponds scattered throughout the gardens.
- Total number of camellia specimens: 62
- Superficie: 25 hectares
- Responsible body: Provincial Council of Pontevedra
- Interés Paisajístico: High
- Description of the surroundings: With panoramic views
- Tipología: Camellias
- Prices: Free admission
Environmental protection status
- Figura de Protección: BIC
Access
- Accesos a pie: Sí
- Baños públicos adaptados para personas con discapacidad: Sí
- Accesos para vehículos privados: Sí
- ¿Existe transporte público para acceder al recurso?: Sí
Events
- Eventos: Sí