Alvaro Cunqueiro, Mondoñedo's most illustrious literary figure, said that the village was rich in bread, water and Latin. And of course he was right, because this is a place with great historical and cultural heritage, immense natural wealth and in which gastronomy also plays an important role.

Thus, Mondoñedo has held the title of city since 1156 when it was granted by royal concession by Alfonso VII of León. It was also the provincial capital until the liberal reforms of 1833 when it became part of the province of Lugo.

Principal town of the diocese since 1112, it has thus been accumulating a significant historical and monumental heritage over the course of its rich history to the present day. Mondoñedo has an impressive Historic Centre, declared as such in 1985 and included in the network of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain from 2017. Its most outstanding monument is the Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption which, along with the Camino Norte to Santiago, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.

There are also buildings of great historical and monumental interest such as the Episcopal Palace (whose current façades date from its last reform in the eighteenth century), the Royal Conciliar Seminary of Santa Catalina (eighteenth century), the Old Fountain (sixteenth century), the Old Consistory (sixteenth century), the current town hall building (eighteenth century), the Hospital of San Pablo and San Lazaro (eighteenth century), the Sanctuary of Os Remedios (eighteenth century) or the Monastery of the Conception (eighteenth century). Not forgetting of course that Mondoñedo lies on the Camino del Norte to Santiago de Compostela which was recently included on UNESCO's Heritage List.

And, of course, within culture we must also include festivals. The most important, in mid-October, is the As San Lucas festival, the oldest fair in Galicia and one of the oldest in Spain (2018 marked the 861st edition). It has been held here since 1156, and boast the distinction 'Festival of Galician Tourist Interest' (it is currently being considered for the National Tourist Interest title). But this is not the only local festival: both the Holy Week celebrations and the Medieval Market (mid-August) are also listed as being of Galician Tourist Interest.

Mondoñedo also has great natural wealth with several landscapes worthy of particular mention. Protected areas such as A Fraga Vella (Red Natura 2000 and SCI), important waterways such as the Masma river - where you can practise fishing - and with an area of limestone rock housing the largest caves in Galicia, measuring over 7km in length - the Cova do Rei Cintolo.

And with regard to local cuisine, the fresh produce from the surrounding fields and orchards along with the meat reared in the area are of superior quality, but the star product is the famous Tarta de Mondoñedo. This is an incredible dessert based on puff pastry, sponge cake soaked in wine syrup, angel hair squash and almonds that has been present on tables as illustrious as those of the kings of Spain or indeed the Vatican.

Culture, history, nature, crafts, gastronomy and literature concentrated in a dream destination for enjoying life. Mondoñedo.