The
Park of San Domingos de Bonaval
is one of the best known and most representative green and monumental sites in the Galician capital. This large natural and heritage area extends over almost 40,000 square meters of grass, tree species, fountains, canals and artistic monuments.
The site is bordered by several museum and historical facilities, such as the Centro Galego de Arte Contemporáneo, the Museo do Pobo Galego or the Panteón de Galegos Ilustres, which together make up one of the most important cultural, artistic, historical and natural complexes in Galicia.
The project was conceived in an old farm and cemetery rehabilitated as an urban park by the landscape architect Isabel Aguirre and the Portuguese Álvaro Siza, also responsible for the CGAC itself.
Throughout the park, visitors can enjoy a complete panoramic view of the city of Santiago de Compostela, its rooftops, chimneys or even the convent of Santa Clara. This impressive view stands out, especially from the park’s own viewpoint, located on the Almáciga hill.
The complex designed by the architects is made up of new stone walls and ramps that facilitate access to the various platforms along the route.
These are complemented by other elements such as the old cemetery located in the same enclosure, now fully integrated. In this way, the renovation project respected the original structure of the estate and the proposed layout favors a much more organic tour and visit, for the enjoyment of neighbors and tourists.
The water runs through the entire Bonaval enclosure along the paths that form it, with fountains, canals and cisterns.
The lower part was known for being the orchard that the monks used as a cultivation area. Precisely, since 1994, this space has hosted the piece ‘A Porta de música’, the only permanent work of sculptor Eduardo Chillida in a public space in Galicia. In the second part of the complex is the old cemetery, where the new gardens were built.
The third area is separated by a stone wall. This is the oak grove or carballeira, which stands out for the trees of this type and the inclusion of numerous species of special botanical interest. As part of the park’s anecdotes, this area was home to the first radio antenna installed in Galicia.
