ART
Romanesque art can be appreciated in the Monastery of Camanzo (12th century). There are also many interesting churches in this area: Porras de Raíndo (18th c.), in Piloño, and Altamira (18th c.), in Cumeiro, or the Tower in Merza.

ASTRONOMY
In Vila de Cruces you can find an astronomical observatory in Zarraganda dedicated to the teaching of Astronomy to students and to the general public. There is a permanent exhibition of a meteorite of unknown origin and a wonderful view of the area from the observatory.

CELEBRATIONS
Gastronomic fairs and "fiestas" all the year in the different hamlets. Particularly popular and very interesting is the traditional Carnival in Carbia.

CLIMATE
Oceanic climate. Humid and with average temperatures between 12º and 15º Celsius, going down to 6º in winter and up to 30º in summer.

ECONOMY
70% of the population are farmers, dedicated particularly to the breeding of cattle. The rest of the population is dedicated to the industry, commerce and hotels and restaurants business.

FAIRS
Two traditional monthly fairs, on the 4th and the 17th.

GASTRONOMY
There are several gastronomic celebrations all along the year: Galo de Curral (third Sunday in May), the chestnut (4th November) and the Festa do Chourizo (4th February). Also worthwhile in the region are wine, honey, cheese, bread, vegetables or the famous "rosquillas".

INFORMATION
Hospital: 986 58 22 61
Doctor: 986 88 26 32
Civil defense organization: 986 58 23 22
Civil guard: 986 58 20 72
S.O.S. Galicia: 900 44 42 22
Fire Brigade: 986 58 14 00
Town Hall: 986 58 20 17 / 986 58 20 95
Police court: 986 58 20 34
Trade association: 986 58 22 97

MUSEUMS
The house where the writer Xosé Neira Vilas was born, in Gres, is now a museum. And the painter Paco Lareo has founded the museum "A Solaina-Bohemia", where you can find the best works by painters and scuptors of this region.

NATURE
Montaineous region with beautiful valleys and rivers.

PLACES OF INTEREST
The old wolfran mines are worthwhile visiting. Nearby is the old Roman bridge, called "A Ponte do Demo" ("The Evil's Bridge").

RURAL TOURISM
Several traditional houses dedicated to rural tourism offer accomodation and meals: Casa Don din (Vila de Cruces), Casa Madriñán (Oirós), Casa Gorís (Merza), Casa San Ginés (Ferreirós), CasaTorres (Besexos), Casa Lodeiro (Tuiriz) and the hotel spa Os Baños de Brea (Paradela- Merza).

SCHOOLS
Secondary school: IES Marco do Camballón.
Primary schools: two in Vila de Cruces (CEIP "Nuestra Señora de la Pieda" and CEIP "Neira Vilas"), one in Merza (CEIP de Merza), and one in Piloño (CEIP "Cerdeiriños").

SITUATION
Situated in the centre of Galicia, north of the province of Pontevedra, in the natural region of Deza. It is near the main cities and there are regular buses to Santiago and Lalín.

SPORTS
The relief of the region is adecuate for trekking, mountain bike or horse riding. The Portodemouros reservoir is a wonderful place for canoeing or other water sports. Rafting can be practised in the rivers of the area, too.