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Cathedral · Vigo, Galicia
Catedral de Tui
A Romanesque and Gothic fortress-cathedral from the 12th century atop Tui, overlooking the Minho river, opposite Valença do Minho — a starting point of the Caminho Português in Spain.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Catedral de Tui
Tui is a town on the Spanish bank of the Minho river, about 30 km from Vigo, opposite Valença in Portugal, connected by an international iron bridge from 1886. It is the first major stop on the Caminho Português de Santiago after the border and one of the most popular places to begin the final 100 km on foot to Santiago.
Above the historic center stands the Catedral de Santa María, begun in the 12th century and completed in the 13th. It looks like a fortress, with battlements and towers, because Tui was a border town and the church also served defensive purposes. The main façade has a Gothic portal with sculptures of the Adoration of the Magi, one of the earliest Gothic works on the Iberian Peninsula.
Inside, the nave mixes Romanesque and Gothic, with reinforcing arches added after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The 13th-century Gothic cloister is one of the few from that period remaining in Galicia, and from the tower you can see the Minho river and the walls of Valença across the way.
Tui’s historic center, with sloping cobbled streets, descends down to the river.
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
About 1 hour for the cathedral; half a day including the historic center and Valença.
Best time
In the morning or at dusk, when the light is low over the river. Combine it with Valença across the bridge. Check the cathedral opening hours.
How to get there
About 30 km from Vigo, roughly a 30-minute drive on the highway. There are regional buses and trains from Vigo to Tui. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the cathedral to the international bridge.
Tip
Climb the tower and visit the cloister, which are included in the tourist route. Afterwards, walk across the bridge to Valença’s walls; bring your passport. Pilgrims get their credential stamped at the cathedral.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Catedral de Tui
Why does Tui’s cathedral look like a fortress?
Because Tui was a border town with Portugal, and the church also served defensive purposes, with battlements and towers.
Can you walk from Tui to Portugal?
Yes — via the international bridge over the Minho river to Valença. Bring your passport.
Is Tui a starting point for the Camino?
Yes. Many pilgrims begin in Tui the final 100 km of the Caminho Português to Santiago.