In it Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, located off the coast of Galicia A little-known treasure is found in Spain: the island of Sálvorawith fewer tourists than its neighbors, lThe CÃes Islands and Ons. This offers a unique charm and a quieter experience for visitors looking to discover the secrets of this archipelago.
With an area of ​​190 hectaresSálvora is the main island of a small archipelago that also includes the islets of Vionta, Noro and Sagres. Strategically located in the entrance to the Arousa estuarybelongs to the Coruña municipality of Ribeira. Currently uninhabited, this rocky island has impressive fine white sand beachesand a rich history dating back centuries.
Thanks to the organized guided routes by local companies and shipping companies, visitors can explore the various attractions of Sálvora and learn about its fascinating past. From its role as a refuge for pirates and corsairs in the Middle Ages, to its donation to the Cathedral Chapter of Santiago by King Alfonso II in the year 899, the island has witnessed numerous historical events.
From private property to national park
For centuries, Sálvora was in private hands, passing through different noble families such as the Mariño and the Otero Goyanes. In the 16th century, a small agricultural village was established on the island, where around 60 people came to live and work. In 1770, the A Coruña businessman Jerónimo de Hijosa built a fish drying and salting factorywhose building has been restored and converted into a mansion.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the island passed into the hands of the State, but in 1958 the Otero Goyanes family recovered the property and carried out various renovations, including the construction of a lighthouse, a tavern and the installation of a statue of a mermaid. However, the families gradually abandoned the settlement, until In 1997 only the lighthouse keeper Julio Vilches remained, who retired in 2017.
In 2007, the Spanish Ministry of the Environment acquired Sálvora for 8.5 million euros, incorporating it into the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands. Since 2010, the island has been open to the public so that visitors can discover its natural wonders and rich historical heritage.
Paradise beaches and emblematic monuments
Sálvora houses three magnificent beaches of fine white sand, although only one of them, lto Almacén beach, is accessible to visitors. This impressive sandy area stands out for its crystal-clear waters and its dreamlike surroundings, flanked by the Sálvora mermaid sculpture at one end and by the old Pazo Residencial at the other, formerly a salting factory converted into a museum.
In addition to the beach, visitors can explore other iconic monuments on the island, such as the chapel of Saint Catherine, a tavern for sailors, and the abandoned village, where up to 60 people once lived. The Sálvora lighthouse, located on Besugueiros Point, is another point of interest that is worth a visit.
The legend of the mermaid Mariña
One of the most captivating stories of Sálvora revolves around the statue of the mermaid Mariña, Erected in 1956 by JoaquÃn Otero Goyanes, Marquis of Revilla. According to legend, a French knight named Don Froilaz retired on the island, where he fell in love with a mute mermaid. Together they had a son named Mariño, and Froilaz managed to get the mermaid to regain her speech by scaring her by pretending that her little boy fell into the bonfire of Saint John.
How to get to Sálvora
To get to Sálvora, visitors can opt for transportation services and viGuided tours offered by various shipping companies, mainly during the summer months (July to mid-September). Departures usually take place from ports such as O Grove, Santa Eugenia de Ribeira, Portonovo and Sanxenxoand specialized companies such as Cruceros do Ulla, Piratas de Nabia and Cruceros RÃas Baixas organize these excursions.
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