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Baiona
«Baiona es famosa porque aquí llegó la primera noticia del descubrimiento de América.»Baiona is famous because the first news of the discovery of America arrived here.
Baiona is located on the south bank of the Vigo estuary, sheltered by a fortified headland that closes off the port. On 1 March 1493, the caravel Pinta entered the port returning from Columbus's first voyage: it was the first place in Europe to know that there was land on the other side of the ocean.
Did you know
The first to know about America.
In March 1493, the caravel Pinta arrived in Baiona, bringing the news that Christopher Columbus had just reached the American continent.
How they talk in Baiona
Galician is very present and «Baiona» is the official form of the name. «Arribada» means arrival and recalls the historical event of the Pinta in 1493.
morriña
Melancholic nostalgia, particularly for one's own land. Used to describe the feeling of distance and melancholy towards the land of origin or, more generally, a nostalgic state.
Everyday life in Baiona
The «Pinta» moored in the port
The replica of the caravel that brought the news of America in 1493 is on the quay and can be visited: the city celebrates that arrival every March, with the town dressed in 15th-century style.
«La carabela está en el puerto.» — The caravel is in the port.
The walls of «Monterreal» can be walked
Monterreal has become a parador, but the walkway on the walls remains open: you can walk around the headland, looking at the ocean from three sides.
The «escola de vela» in summer
The bay is sheltered and full of dinghies: the sailing school is frequented by local children, and the regattas are the event of the July Sundays.
What to eat in Baiona
Mariscada
Platter of seafood from the ría, boiled and served all together.
Zamburiñas a la plancha
Small scallops cooked on the grill in the shell, with garlic and parsley.
Queso Tetilla
Cone-shaped cow's milk cheese, sweet and soft, with the point that gives it its name.
Festivals in Baiona
Festa da Arribada
the first weekend of March
It celebrates the day in 1493 when the Pinta brought the news of America here: the caravel is moored in the port and the town is medieval.
What to see in Baiona
Réplica de la carabela Pinta
The replica of the caravel that on 1 March 1493 brought the news of the discovery of America here.
Fortaleza de Monterreal
The fortress on the headland, with three kilometres of walls that can be walked along.
Virgen de la Roca
A hollow stone statue fifteen metres high, inside which you can climb: the boat she holds in her hand is a balcony.
Casco antiguo
The old town inside the walls, with the collegiate church and stone streets.
Where Baiona comes from
The first place in Europe to know about America
Roman era
The port
A landing place in the ría of Vigo, sheltered by the mountain and the islands.
1201
The fuero
Alfonso IX granted it the fuero: the walled town was born under the fortress.
1 March 1493
The Pinta
Martín Alonso Pinzón's caravel entered the port: it was the first place in Europe to know about America.
20th century → today
Tourism
The fortress became a parador and the town lives from the sea and visitors.
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