Moaña
Encyclopedia
Moaña is a municipality of 18,709 inhabitants located in Galicia, Spain
in the province of Pontevedra
.
It is one of the five municipalities with Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marin and Vilaboa that forms the peninsula of O Morrazo
. This peninsula separates the Ria
of Vigo from the Ria of Pontevedra.
The coast of Moaña has several beaches and the area combines tourism with traditional seafood production.
The surrounding sea contains sea farms where mussels, oysters and other species are cultivated and it is an idyllic place for practicing sea sports activities. The Strait of Rande, where the Rande Bridge
now connects Moaña with the municipality of Redondela, was the scene of the Battle of Vigo Bay
(or Battle of Rande). Moaña has developed a significant cultural life with the highlights of this being the Interceltic Festival of Morrazo
, the Week of Carnival and numerous other local feasts.
Social movements were relevant in Moaña in the first half of the 20th century where the presence of the CNT
(National Confederation of Labour) was significant. In fact, the current local pub/bar for retired people was the head office of this syndicate in Moaña during the Second Spanish Republic
.
period (75,000 BC). In the parishes of Domaio, O Carme, Meira and Tiran are also found flint tools and the remains of settlements dating from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Elements of the Beaker Culture outside funeral environments were documented for the first time in Galicia in the area of A Fontela (Domaio). Tools and weapons of copper and bronze were found in Meira, Domaio and Tiran, where some relevant petroglyphs can be visited.The Castro culture
is widely represented in the municipality with highly indications of romanization.
In the Middle Age
, Moaña was under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Iria Flavia and Santiago de Compostela
. In the 7th century Norman attacks caused a loss of population throughout the Morrazo, but from the 12th century, took place a new resurgence of the population, after Archbishop Diego Gelmírez
established a plan to defend the coast. From these dates are the churches of San Martino and San Xoán of Tiran. From the 14th century, families like the Meira, the Valadares or Soutomaior took the town control. Noteworthy is the episode of the destruction of Meira Tower within the Irmandiño Wars (1467–1469).
The introduction of maize
in the 17th century, changed local economy. The 90% of the acreage is then utilized in cultivating this plant. As consequence, there is a raising of water mills along the rivers in the district. Fishing has been a key activity in the local economy during all that time. The arrival of entrepreneurs from Catalonia
in the 17th century established the fish canning industry, generating a population and economic growth quite remarkable.
In 1702 comes the Battle of Rande where British and Netherland forces take and plunder Domaio, Meira and Tiran. One hundred years later (1809) battles are fought in this land against the French invaders.
. Temperatures are not extreme, having an annual average of 15°C.
Precipitation oscilates between 1300 and 1500mm per year.
The economy of Moaña has always been related to the sea. This relationship covers all the economic sectors. The activities of the primary sector complement industrial and services industries, which are also based on the maritime activities.
The primary sector (mainly fishing) contains 24.4% of the working population (2006 data). 39% of the working population work within the secondary sector. This sector's main activities are building, shipyard
activities and the canning of seafood. The services sector has 37% of the working population with shopping and tourism being the main activities. Tourism amenities within the area include a golf camp and three pleasure harbours.
Rowing is one the most popular sports. There are two active rowing
clubs, S.D. Samertolameu (Meira) and S.D. Tirán, who compete in the highest category.
In 1960, a crew made up of the best rowers from both clubs, under the name of Moaña, won the Rowing Championship of Spain.
After that, the S.D. Tirán won three more times this competition in 1961, 1996 and 1997.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in the province of Pontevedra
Pontevedra (province)
Pontevedra is a province of Spain along the country's Atlantic coast in southwestern Europe. The province forms the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Galicia...
.
It is one of the five municipalities with Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marin and Vilaboa that forms the peninsula of O Morrazo
O Morrazo
O Morrazo is a county in the Galician Province of Pontevedra. The overall population of this local region is 81,228 .-Municipalities:Bueu, Cangas do Morrazo, Marín and Moaña....
. This peninsula separates the Ria
Ria
A ria is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the...
of Vigo from the Ria of Pontevedra.
The coast of Moaña has several beaches and the area combines tourism with traditional seafood production.
The surrounding sea contains sea farms where mussels, oysters and other species are cultivated and it is an idyllic place for practicing sea sports activities. The Strait of Rande, where the Rande Bridge
Rande Bridge
The Rande Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge in Vigo, Spain. It spans Vigo Ria across the Rande Strait, linking Vigo to the Morrazo peninsula.It was designed by Italian engineer Fabrizio de Miranda, the Spaniard Florencio del Pozo and Alfredo Passaro. The bridge was built in 1978. It forms part of...
now connects Moaña with the municipality of Redondela, was the scene of the Battle of Vigo Bay
Battle of Vigo Bay
The Battle of Vigo Bay, also known as the Battle of Rande , was a naval engagement fought on 23 October 1702 during the opening years of the War of the Spanish Succession. The engagement followed an Anglo-Dutch attempt to capture the Spanish port of Cádiz in September in an effort to secure a naval...
(or Battle of Rande). Moaña has developed a significant cultural life with the highlights of this being the Interceltic Festival of Morrazo
Interceltic Festival of Morrazo
The Interceltic Festival of Morrazo is a folk music festival celebrated in August in Moaña , in Galicia Spain. The purpose of the festival is to promote and develop traditional folk music, highlinting Celtic music and new tendencies. The festival was founded on the 15 August 1985 by the Semente...
, the Week of Carnival and numerous other local feasts.
Social movements were relevant in Moaña in the first half of the 20th century where the presence of the CNT
Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
The Confederación Nacional del Trabajo is a Spanish confederation of anarcho-syndicalist labor unions affiliated with the International Workers Association . When working with the latter group it is also known as CNT-AIT...
(National Confederation of Labour) was significant. In fact, the current local pub/bar for retired people was the head office of this syndicate in Moaña during the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
.
History
The first reports of human occupation of these lands belong to the AcheuleanAcheulean
Acheulean is the name given to an archaeological industry of stone tool manufacture associated with early humans during the Lower Palaeolithic era across Africa and much of West Asia, South Asia and Europe. Acheulean tools are typically found with Homo erectus remains...
period (75,000 BC). In the parishes of Domaio, O Carme, Meira and Tiran are also found flint tools and the remains of settlements dating from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Elements of the Beaker Culture outside funeral environments were documented for the first time in Galicia in the area of A Fontela (Domaio). Tools and weapons of copper and bronze were found in Meira, Domaio and Tiran, where some relevant petroglyphs can be visited.The Castro culture
Castro culture
Castro culture is the archaeological term for naming the Celtic archaeological culture of the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula from the end of the Bronze Age until it was subsumed in local Roman culture...
is widely represented in the municipality with highly indications of romanization.
In the Middle Age
Middle age
Middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age. Various attempts have been made to define this age, which is around the third quarter of the average life span of human beings....
, Moaña was under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Iria Flavia and Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
. In the 7th century Norman attacks caused a loss of population throughout the Morrazo, but from the 12th century, took place a new resurgence of the population, after Archbishop Diego Gelmírez
Diego Gelmírez
Diego Gelmírez was the second bishop and first archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. He is a prominent figure in the history of Galicia and an important historiographer of the Spain of his day...
established a plan to defend the coast. From these dates are the churches of San Martino and San Xoán of Tiran. From the 14th century, families like the Meira, the Valadares or Soutomaior took the town control. Noteworthy is the episode of the destruction of Meira Tower within the Irmandiño Wars (1467–1469).
The introduction of maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
in the 17th century, changed local economy. The 90% of the acreage is then utilized in cultivating this plant. As consequence, there is a raising of water mills along the rivers in the district. Fishing has been a key activity in the local economy during all that time. The arrival of entrepreneurs from Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
in the 17th century established the fish canning industry, generating a population and economic growth quite remarkable.
In 1702 comes the Battle of Rande where British and Netherland forces take and plunder Domaio, Meira and Tiran. One hundred years later (1809) battles are fought in this land against the French invaders.
Climate
Moaña has a mild oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
. Temperatures are not extreme, having an annual average of 15°C.
Precipitation oscilates between 1300 and 1500mm per year.
Economy
The primary sector (mainly fishing) contains 24.4% of the working population (2006 data). 39% of the working population work within the secondary sector. This sector's main activities are building, shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
activities and the canning of seafood. The services sector has 37% of the working population with shopping and tourism being the main activities. Tourism amenities within the area include a golf camp and three pleasure harbours.
Beaches
The whole south limit of Moaña is coast. There are a series of rocky cliffs and beaches from the strait of Rande to the municipality of Cangas. Cliffs are short of height and there are some small beaches at their bottom. Large beaches are formed in the inlets. The most popular are:- A Xunqueira Beach, located in the city centre. It is surrounded by a park and sportive premises.
- O Con Beach, located between the main dock of Moaña and Cortés cape. Good quality of sand. Fully equipped Blue Flag beachBlue Flag beachThe Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
.
- Canabal Beach or Germans' Beach, located in the parish of Tirán, it is a very quiet place. Urban leyend says that during the Second World War some German soldiers lived there.
- Domaio Beach, located next to the dock of Domaio.
- Meira Beach, located next to A Xunqueira beach, between Saint Bartolome's Island and the coast of the parish of Meira.
- Raven's Nest Beach (Praia do Niño do corvo), small beach located at the bottom of a short clift in the coast of Tirán.
- A Borna Beach, located in the parish of Domaio.
- Videira Beach, located in the parish of Tirán.
Rivers
There are several rivers and loads of streams, highlighting:- A Fraga’s River or Thieve’s River It starts in Xaxán Mountain and it flows into the A Xunqueira beach. It is the largest in the entire municipality. It contains several small deep pools and waterfalls. There are 31 restored watermills integrated in a Watermill’s Route. Three of those are still in active.
- Freixa’s River
- Hell’s River
- Miñouba River, It starts in the Faro Mountain in the parish of Domaio. It has the famous Moura’s deep pool.
- Ravine’s River
Leisure, Monuments and Places of Interest
- Country House of O Rosal (Pazo do Rosal), interesting example of civil architecture in second half of 18th century. In the chapel is buried the rear admiral Casto Méndez NúñezCasto Méndez NúñezCasto Secundino María Méndez Núñez , Spanish military naval officer. Born in Vigo . In 1866 during the Chincha Islands War between Spain, Peru and Chile, he was General Commander of the Spanish fleet in the Pacific...
. - DolmenDolmenA dolmen—also known as a portal tomb, portal grave, dolmain , cromlech , anta , Hünengrab/Hünenbett , Adamra , Ispun , Hunebed , dös , goindol or quoit—is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of...
of Chan Da Arquiña, within its boundaries is the highest point of Morrazo, Mount Faro, 622m high. Near the top is a recreational environment in which it is located this important megalithic monument with more than 5,000 years old. It consists of a polygonal chamber composed of eleven upright stones and a corridor. It was built facing east. Excavations found a complete funerary equipment consisting of stone tools and pottery fragments. - Moaña Leisure Harbour, where to practice sea sport activities like sailing or sport fishing.
- Ria de Vigo Golf Club, founded in 1989, It is located in the parish of Domaio where players can enjoy its exceptional views to the Vigo Bay.
- O Beque Municipal Camping, located next to the Fraga Stream, It offers tennis courts, swimming pool, children’s park, picnic area, restaurant and parking.
- Saint Martin's Church (Igrexa de San Martiño), built in the 12th century, It is one of the best examples of the romanesque art in Galicia.
- Saint John of Tiran's Church, little church built on the period of transition from the late romanesque to the gothic art of the 13th century.
- Saint Eurlalia of Meira's Church , baroque church.
- Water Mill’s Route, where thirty one mills have been restored and integrated into this walk. It runs for 6 km through the river´s bank which is covered by a lush Atlantic forest well preserved. Three of the water mills are still active.
Sports
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
clubs, S.D. Samertolameu (Meira) and S.D. Tirán, who compete in the highest category.
In 1960, a crew made up of the best rowers from both clubs, under the name of Moaña, won the Rowing Championship of Spain.
After that, the S.D. Tirán won three more times this competition in 1961, 1996 and 1997.
Celebrities
- Casto Méndez NúñezCasto Méndez NúñezCasto Secundino María Méndez Núñez , Spanish military naval officer. Born in Vigo . In 1866 during the Chincha Islands War between Spain, Peru and Chile, he was General Commander of the Spanish fleet in the Pacific...
, Spanish rear admiral. - Santiago Castroviejo, Botanist.
- Celso Parada Fernández, Actor.
- José Costa Alonso,.
- Xose Manuel Budiño, Piper and famous galician musician.
- Iván Costa Blanco, Piper.
- Anxo LorenzoAnxo LorenzoAnxo Lorenzo is a musician who plays the gaita, the traditional Galician bagpipe, from Moaña , a small village on the Atlantic Coast of Galicia ....
, Piper. - Xavier Blanco, Musician.
- Jonathan AspasJonathan AspasJonathan Aspas Juncal is a Spanish footballer who plays for Alki Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus.Mainly a right midfielder, he can also appear as an offensive right back.-Football career:...
, Football player.