Lugo is a small city, population around 100,000, situated in the north west of Spain, in the region of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The city is considered to have been originally a Celtic one founded by followers of the Celtic Cult of Lugh. It fell into Roman hands around 13 BC and became important for gold mining.
The Romans built one of Lugo’s main attractions, the city walls, which are completely intact. In fact Lugo is the only European city that is completely surrounded by Roman walls. In places the walls are 15 metres high and they stretch for over 2 kilometres around the city. The walls date from the 3rd century.
In recognition of their importance the walls were declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. It is possible to walk the entire length of the walls or leave them at one of the many staircases leading down into the city.
Another interesting Roman relic is the Roman baths which are located in the spa of Lugo. They are well preserved and offer a chance to see how the Romans coped with the colder climate of this part of their empire.
The Cathedral of Lugo is an example of several different architectural styles. Begun in Romanesque style, it has had features added in the Gothic, Baroque and Neo-classicist styles.
The main square of Lugo is the Plaza de Espana where the Town Hall is located. This is a building dating from1738 and is well-known for the magnificence of its baroque facade. The Plaza de Espana is also home to the most elegant cafes of Lugo and the modernist building of the Arts Circle.
