Ancient Gondomar Castle and its Historic Connections to Caesar, Columbus, and Drake

Near the Atlantic Ocean, on a small peninsula there is a castle known as Monterreal Castle, Gondomar Castle, or Ox Hill Fortress. Although it has been destroyed many times over the years, it remains one of the most historical places in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, in Spain.

Baiona is a small town close to the city of Vigo. Amongst the many historical places, the gemstone is the castle. Bordered by the waves of the ocean, the castle is located in a strategic point in the territory of the Rias Baixas. In front of the peninsula there is another treasure of Galicia – the Cies Islands, which have been voted to become a UNESCO world heritage site.

Caesar’s Camp

The peninsula is known since the times of pre-Roman tribes, but it began to be a meaningful location when Julius Caesar arrived there in 61 BC. He saw the peninsula as a strategic place to build a camp. It is unknown how long the Romans stayed there, but the structures which they created became a base for the future castle. Julius Caesar and his army also created a base for the Roman colonization of Galicia, influencing many future main cities of the region.

Port of Baiona, Entrance to the castle. (CC BY-SA 3.0)