Ourense

Ourense is a city and the capital of the province of Ourense, in the autonomous community of Galicia, northwestern Spain. It is along the Camino Sanabrés path of the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago), an important stop for travelers.

The city is crossed by several rivers, including the Miño, Barbaña, Loña, and Barbañica.

Ourense is also called A cidade das Burgas in Galician because of its many hot springs. It has a rich collection of thermal heritage in Europe, drawing visitors who enjoy the natural warmth and beauty of its waters. These features make Ourense a special and historic place in the region.

Population

Ourense has 105,769 people as of 2025. This is about a third of the people living in the whole province. It is the third largest city in Galicia. In 2019, there were 14,171 foreigners living in Ourense. The most common foreign nationalities were from Portugal, Venezuela, and Romania.

When it comes to language, in 2018 around 32.3% of people in Ourense always spoke in Galician, 17.1% always spoke in Spanish, and many others used both languages together.

History

The city of Ourense has a long history that goes back to Roman times. The Romans built hot springs there called the Burgas, which people still visit today. Ourense was also an important place because it had one of the easiest ways to cross the Miño River.

Over the years, the city was part of different kingdoms and sometimes faced attacks. It was rebuilt and grew again in the 12th century, becoming a busy place for trade and services. Today, Ourense continues to grow with new parks, bridges, and hot spring facilities.

Geography and geothermal springs

The city of Ourense is on both sides of the Miño river in Galicia. It sits 128 meters above sea level.

Several rivers flow through the town. The Miño is the largest river. It separates the western part, where the train station is, from the main city area. Many bridges cross the river, including an old Roman bridge called Ponte Vella. People can walk on this bridge, but cars cannot use it. Forests with oak and pine trees surround the town.

Ourense is famous for its hot springs. The city has warm water coming up from underground. This makes it one of the top places in Europe to enjoy natural hot springs. Visitors can relax in special spots called pozas or burgas. Some of these spots are free, and some cost a little money. One popular spot, As Burgas, is in the old part of town. People can see ruins of an ancient Roman bath there.

Other hot spring places along the Miño river include Termas da Chavasqueira, Fonte do Tinteiro, Pozas do Muíño da Veiga, and Pozas de Outariz. Each has its own special warm water features.

Climate

Ourense has a hot-summer mediterranean climate. Summers can get warm, with temperatures around 30 °C. Winters are wet and milder, with daytime temperatures around 12 °C. The city sometimes experiences very hot weather. This climate is influenced by the local landscape and the Miño river valley.

Economy

The city of Ourense has a strong service sector. It has many shops, places to relax, government offices, schools (including a campus of the University of Vigo), and hospitals (like the Ourense Hospital Complex). Building work is also important, with a big construction company, Copasa, based there.

There is an industrial area in San Cibrao das Viñas with many light factories. Some make clothes, such as Adolfo Dominguez and Roberto Verino, and others help make car parts. Ourense is also famous for growing European chestnuts (Castanea sativa), and a major agricultural company, Coren, is located there.

Sights

Ourense is a city with many interesting places to see. It has three main parts: a medieval area, a part that grew in the 1800s, and a modern outer area. The medieval part has narrow streets and small squares. It now has many restaurants and bars that students like to visit. The Plaza Mayor is the heart of the city, with shops and the Town Hall.

The most important building in Ourense is the Cathedral. It is the second oldest in Galicia and has a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The Ponte Vella, or Old Bridge, crosses the Miño River. It was built long ago and has been fixed many times.

Two important paths for travelers, La Ruta de la Plata and the Portuguese Way, pass through Ourense on their way to the Camino de Santiago. These paths bring many visitors to the city, especially in special years for St. James.

Politics

Transport

The city has a train station called the Ourense Railway Station.

Barallete

Barallete was a special way of talking used by old knife-sharpeners and umbrella makers in Ourense. It was based on the Galician language from that area, but the people who used it changed everyday words to new ones that nobody else could understand.

Sport

Ourense has a long history with soccer. The club UD Orensana started in 1935 when two local teams joined together, but it closed in 1952. Then CD Ourense was created, but it also closed in 2014 because of money problems. Another team, Ponte Ourense Club de Fútbol, began in 1977 and changed its name to Ourense CF in 2014.

Notable residents

Ourense has been home to many interesting people over the years. Rebeca Baceiredo, born in 1979, is known for her work as a philosopher and essayist. Clara Corral Aller, who lived from 1847 to 1908, was a poet. Filomena Dato, born in 1856 and passed away in 1926, was a writer and a strong voice for women’s rights. Julio Iglesias Sr., living from 1915 to 2005, was a well-known doctor who studied women’s health. José Luis Abadín, born in 1986, is a racing driver. Antonia Ferrín Moreiras (1914–2009) was a mathematician, teacher, and the first woman from Galicia to work as an astronomer. María do Ceo is famous for her beautiful singing in the fado style.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain

Twin towns – sister cities

Ourense has friendly partnerships with cities in other countries. These include:

• Plaza de la Revolución (Havana), Cuba
• Quimper, France
• Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico
• Vila Real, Portugal

Images

Main square

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  María Auxiliadora Collegiate Church