Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Square · Ourense, Galicia
Praza Maior de Ourense
The main square of the old town, with a sloping ground, arcades, the Casa do Concello and the church of Santa María Nai, just a few steps from the cathedral.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Praza Maior de Ourense
The Praza Maior is the heart of Ourense’s old town. It has a distinctive feature: the ground is sloped, descending toward the Casa do Concello, the town hall, which closes one side of the square. The other sides have stone-arched houses, cafés and balconies.
At the upper part of the square stands the church of Santa María Nai, considered the city’s first cathedral, rebuilt in the 18th century with ancient columns on the façade. Next to it is the old Paço Episcopal.
The square is a meeting and festival point for the city and is two minutes from the catedral de San Martiño and a few minutes from As Burgas. The surrounding streets, such as da Paz, de Lepanto and the praza do Ferro, concentrate bars serving petiscos and wines.
It is the best starting point for walking through the old town.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 30 minutes, plus time for a coffee under the arcades.
Best time
Late morning or in the evening, when the surrounding streets fill up for snacks and small plates.
How to get there
It is in the old town, a 2-minute walk from the cathedral and about 2 km from the train station.
Tip
Climb up to the church of Santa María Nai, at the top of the square, to see the sloping ensemble from above. Then head to the praza do Ferro and the surrounding bar streets.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praza Maior de Ourense
Why is the Praza Maior of Ourense sloped?
The square follows the slope of the old town’s terrain and descends toward the Casa do Concello, the town hall.
What is the church of Santa María Nai?
It is considered the first cathedral of Ourense. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and sits at the upper part of the square.
Where to eat near the Praza Maior?
On the surrounding streets, such as Paz and Lepanto and the praza do Ferro, which are full of tapas bars and wine bars.