Vigo old town.
16/06/07 15:01 Filed in: Ria de Vigo
An unexpected and pleasant surprise. My teacher from la Coruña, Lis, came down for a visit. She was at university in Vigo and had said it was not her favourite city but as we walked around and I pointed out bits I liked she kept repeating "that wasn't there last time I was here".
I like Vigo a lot. The local council have spent a lot of money on the city centre and waterfont and it shows. Cars are now excluded or take second place to people on many streets.
We had lunch at the club Nautico and then she took me on a tour of the old town.
Thanks Lis.
The old town is very old in parts and is full of contrasts. It is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets. Many on steep hills. Some buildings have been beautifully restored and others are complete wrecks with no roof. Around the edges much new construction has been unsympathetic but it has rarely intruded into the old town proper. Many buildings are undergoing restoration but I suspect that it will take a long time to complete the process.
Restored buildings in very narrow cobbled street.
A very steep street.This one is stone paved.
A wider more commercial street. Wrought iron balconies and fixtures are common.
Turn around 180 deg and these two buildings with beautiful balconies are boarded up wrecks.
What's the time?
Restoration underway.
Restoration more or less complete.
Tall narrow restored building.
This building was gutted completely. Only the exterior shell has been retained.
More wrought iron.
Another steep street. This one paved with slate and edged with stone.
View from the upper old town looking out over the docks and Ria Vigo.
I like Vigo a lot. The local council have spent a lot of money on the city centre and waterfont and it shows. Cars are now excluded or take second place to people on many streets.
We had lunch at the club Nautico and then she took me on a tour of the old town.
Thanks Lis.
The old town is very old in parts and is full of contrasts. It is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets. Many on steep hills. Some buildings have been beautifully restored and others are complete wrecks with no roof. Around the edges much new construction has been unsympathetic but it has rarely intruded into the old town proper. Many buildings are undergoing restoration but I suspect that it will take a long time to complete the process.
Restored buildings in very narrow cobbled street.
A very steep street.This one is stone paved.
A wider more commercial street. Wrought iron balconies and fixtures are common.
Turn around 180 deg and these two buildings with beautiful balconies are boarded up wrecks.
What's the time?
Restoration underway.
Restoration more or less complete.
Tall narrow restored building.
This building was gutted completely. Only the exterior shell has been retained.
More wrought iron.
Another steep street. This one paved with slate and edged with stone.
View from the upper old town looking out over the docks and Ria Vigo.