Lugo Roman Heritage
If you are walking the Camino Primitivo, also known as the Original Way, Lugo will be one of the city highlights of your journey along the Way of St. James. As the only city in the world surrounded by intact Roman walls, Lugo owes much of its unique identity and character to its Roman past.
Founded by the Romans in 15BC, the city was given the name Lucus Augusti and was one of the three main cities in the province the Romans called Gallaecia. Gallaecia (origin of the name of Galicia) extended to the Douro river in today’s Portugal and was an important economic source for the Roman Empire because of its gold mines.
Lugo Romans Walls
Lugo’s Roman wall was built in the third century in order to protect its citizens from invaders, and the wall became a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
The wall stretches over a 2km full circle that wraps around Lugo’s old town and historic centre, reaching 12 metres in height and incorporating 85 towers and ten gates. Five are relatively modern gates, opened in 1853 to adapt to the city’s growth. The entrance called Porta Miñá (also called Porta do Carme) leads towards the River Miño and takes its name from there. This gate is now used by pilgrims leaving the city of Lugo on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
The best way to get a feel for the city of Lugo is by walking the loop trail along the top of the Roman wall. There is an interpretation centre dedicated to the Roman walls and many archaeological remains from that period that can be found around the city for those interested in archaeology and the Roman Empire. There are also many other sites in the old town, like the Cathedral, City Hall and its many museums and churches.
Being included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites was a cause for great celebration, not just in Lugo but for all of Galicia. To mark this event, a new festival celebrating the city’s Roman heritage and Celtic/Castro culture was created in Lugo: Arde Lucus (meaning ‘Lucus burning’, referring to the city’s Roman name).
Arde Lucus festival Lugo
For a few days, Lugo becomes 3rd century Lucus Augusti again, with a Roman circus, Celtic weddings, artisan markets and many musical events taking place and locals and visitors getting into period costumes. Arde Lucus takes place in late June, so if you happen to walk through Lugo on your way to Santiago and suddenly encounter gladiators and Roman Emperor lookalikes, don’t get alarmed! Lugo may have been taken over by the city’s Roman alter ego: Lucus Augusti.
But while Arde Lucus has grown in popularity since its creation, Lugo’s most traditional festival is San Froilán, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. San Froilán takes place in early October, and it dates back to 1754 when Lugo got permission from the King to celebrate an agricultural fair.
Today, San Froilán gets thousands of visitors of all ages, not so much an agro-business celebration. One of its classic attractions is the famous Galician octopus dish, Polbo á Feira (Octopus Fair Style or what other Spaniards call Octopus Galician Style), which can be eaten in one of the stands at the Rosalía de Castro park.
Octopus is traditionally a market or fair day dish in Galicia, simple and delicious. We are sure the Romans would approve!
For more information about the Camino de Santiago, including Lugo and the Original Way, please visit the Camino Primitivo route page. If you’re interested in experiencing some of the Camino’s wonderful festivities, make sure to check our Camino Festivals Calendar.
If you have any questions or if you would like some help planning your Camino, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
