Padron - the Roman Iria Flavia

Padron is one of Galicia's oldest towns and dates back to pre-Roman times. It has important religious links with Saint James and the Camino de Santiago and was the home of a famous Galician poet. It is also famous throughout Spain for its small green peppers called pimientos de Padron. In short it is one of the most famous towns in Galicia.

Padron has museums, churches, the "Pedron" and the largest and most famous outdoor market in Galicia. It was also one of the places where Saint James is said to have preached and you can see the spot in the photo to the right.

General information about Padron

Modern day Padron is close to the site of an old town that was known as Iria Flavia and is located some distance inland from the coast.

A biblical story claims that the apostle Saint James lived and preached in the area and that after his murder his body was brought back to the town before being taken to what is now Santiago de Compostela. Padron is built around a river and is famous for the small green peppers that are grown there.

What to see and do in the town of Padron

Tip 1. Sitting either side of the tidal river that splits the town are a monastery and the church of Santiago. Both are popular with visitors to the town. The church has an old stone known as the "Pedron" beneath its altar and it is thought that it is from a derivation of this word from which the town gets its name.

Legend has it that the Pedron stone was once set to the side of the river and that the boat carrying Saint James' body was moored up by tying a rope around it. As a result the Pedron is now a holy artefact. A replica of the Pedron can be seen sitting to the side of the river.

Tip 2. Padron was the home of Rosalia de Castro, a well known Galician poet with a tragic life story, whose literary legacy lives on. Just outside the main town there is a museum to Castro which is set in her former home and it is now one of the most popular museums in Galicia. Guided tours are offered and, if you are lucky, you may get a guide who speaks English.




Tip 3. A very short drive from Padron town is one of the spots where Saint James is said to have preached. This location is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and has some interesting stories associated with it. It has an outcrop of rocks that form a natural pulpit and it is from this point that the Apostle is said to have preached.

Tip 4. Padron has what is arguably the largest outdoor market in Galicia in the Espolon Promenade. This is a tree enshrouded area that runs by the side of the river and is a good place to get a bargain. You will also find many small stalls selling the peppers for which the town is famous.

Tip 5. Another of Padron's famous figures and also an author is Camilo Jose Cela and there is a museum in the town that bears his name and has a varied collection of items on display.

Where is Padron and how do you reach it

Padron is fairly close to Santiago de Compostela and, although located inland, is only a short drive from the coast.

Padron is popular with visitors and sees a lot of pilgrims in the summer months. It has both distinct old and new town areas although it is only the latter that a tourist would want to see.