Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Sil

The Sil Canyon covers the last 50 km before the Sil enters the Minho.

The Sil Canyon covers the last 50 km before the Sil enters the Minho. The scenery is really spectacular. The walls rise almost vertically up to 500 m from water level. Due to the extraordinary terrain, the local climate differs from surrounding areas and allows the growth of Mediterranean vegetation. The river cliffs have been terraced to allow production of grape vines. Wine production started in this area already in Roman times. The area is called the Ribeira Sacra wine region.

The Benedictine monastery has its origins in the 10th century. Century. It was initially an independent monastery and, from around the 16th century, a priory dependent on the monastery of San Esteban de Ribas de Sil. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important monasteries in the Ribeira Sacra. The monks cultivated chestnut trees and vines. The confiscation meant the complete abandonment of the village. The Romanesque church from the end of the 12th century has been preserved. It has the floor plan of a Latin cross.

The Benedictine monastery has its origins in the 10th century. Century. It was initially an independent monastery and, from around the 16th century, a priory dependent on the monastery of San Esteban de Ribas de Sil. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important monasteries in the Ribeira Sacra. The monks cultivated chestnut trees and vines. The confiscation meant the complete abandonment of the village. The Romanesque church from the end of the 12th century has been preserved. It has the floor plan of a Latin cross. The façade has a wonderful rose window.

The Castro da Cividá is an oval heavily fortified site of about 2800m². It has probably been in use since the Bronze Age. Excavations have shown that later the Romans used this site. It is situated high above the Sil.

The Castro da Cividá is an oval heavily fortified site of about 2800m². It has probably been in use since the Bronze Age. Excavations have shown that later the Romans used this site. It is situated high above the Sil.

The Sil Canyon covers the last 50 km before the Sil enters the Minho. The scenery is really spectacular. The walls rise almost vertically up to 500 m from water level. Due to the extraordinary terrain, the local climate differs from surrounding areas and allows the growth of Mediterranean vegetation. The river cliffs have been terraced to allow production of grape vines. Wine production started in this area already in Roman times. The area is called the Ribeira Sacra wine region.

The Sil Canyon covers the last 50 km before the Sil enters the Minho. The scenery is really spectacular. The walls rise almost vertically up to 500 m from water level. Due to the extraordinary terrain, the local climate differs from surrounding areas and allows the growth of Mediterranean vegetation. The river cliffs have been terraced to allow production of grape vines. Wine production started in this area already in Roman times. The area is called the Ribeira Sacra wine region.

The Roman tunnel of Boca do Monte was built in the 2nd century by order of Emperor Trajan to divert the course of the River Sil and extract the gold deposited in the meanders of the old course of the river. It is dug in slate and was 120 metres long until 1934, but a flood of the River Sil in that year caused a large part of the tunnel to collapse, giving it its current dimensions: 54 metres long, 19 metres wide and an average height of 17 metres.

Ribeira Sacra is an area that stretches along the banks of the rivers Cabe, Sil and Miño. The town of Monforte de Lemos was designated as the capital of the area and is also the most populous town. The first written evidence of the town's name dates back to 1124, when the royals donated a "locum qui dicitur Rouoyra Sacrata". The name perhaps refers to the many hermitages and monasteries that had already been built here at that time. The Ribeira Sacra is also known for the quality of its wines. The vineyards, which follow the course of the river, are arranged in a system of stone steps along the riverbank and date back to Roman times, as the Romans already appreciated these wines. The spectacular Cañón del Sil is a gorge that covers the last 50 km before the Sil enters the Minho. The walls rise almost vertically up to 500 m from water level.