Ourense (unofficial Spanish name: Orense; Latin: Aquae Urentes, originally Aureinse, “City of Gold”) is the capital of the province of Ourense in northwestern Spain, located in the southern part of the Galicia region, on the Miño River. It is the third largest city in Galicia after Vigo and A Coruña. It is located at an altitude of 132 m above sea level and covers an area of 85.2 km². The city’s population was 103,756 in 2022.
- Cathedral of San Martin, the current building founded by Alfonso VII and built between 1132 and 1248, stands on the site of a church built in the 6th century. Inside there is a 16th century Gothic retable by Cornelis de Holland; the cathedral has preserved sculptures partially covered with original paintings.
- A very large old town with numerous medieval churches and remains of Roman settlers (e.g. the recently restored Roman baths)
- Monastery of St. Francis from the 14th century
- A seven-span bridge over the Miño River, built in 1230 on Roman foundations, still in use today. Currently, the bridge has been transformed into a picturesque promenade.
- An archaeological museum where you can admire the remains of pre-Romanesque settlers of Celtic culture
- Ourense is the second largest hot spring in Europe. The ancient Romans already enjoyed the benefits of bathing in the thermal waters. The current infrastructure offers bathing in water at a temperature of 36-60 degrees Celsius both in the old town, next to the restored ancient Roman baths, and along the Minho River. The water is rich in minerals, bathing is especially recommended for people suffering from asthma, rheumatism and arthritis.
- The city has a junction station Ourense-Empalme, from which classical railway lines depart towards Vigo, Monforte de Lemos, Santiago de Compostela and Puebla de Sanabria. The Madrid-Galicia high-speed line passes through Ourense, which can be used to travel towards Santiago de Compostela, the section to Zamora is under construction.
Additional information. The city has developed a food, wood and chemical industry. Until 2014, it was home to a football club, CD Ourense, playing in the Spanish Segunda División, the second tier of football leagues in Spain.
