Estacas: Wolf traps, shepherds’ huts and nature

Estacas’ history can be traced through several distinct themes: former livestock farming, shepherds’ huts, church architecture and archaeological traces. The area also features a riverside forest and mountain scrubland that are home to named animal species. Together, these different features provide a cultural and scenic setting for a trip to Estacas.

Wolf trap and shepherds’ huts

The Foxo dos Lobos is in Bustelos, within the parish of Estacas, at Chan de A Anduriña. It is a double wolf trap, built to protect livestock from wolf attacks, and is considered unique in Europe. Its purpose and design tell of a specific task in former livestock farming: protecting animals from wolves.

Another historic structure is the Neveira da Chan da Anduriña. It lies in ruins, 80 metres southeast of the Foxo dos Lobos. Its circular floor plan is more than 12 metres in diameter. The Neveira and the wolf trap are thus precisely located in relation to each other, but clearly differ in their described form: a double wolf trap on the one hand, and a circular floor plan on the other.

More than forty old auxiliary buildings for shepherds, known as Chozos, are located on the communal mountain of Estacas. They have been documented since 1550, though they may date back further. The year refers to their documented mention, while the possibility that they are even older remains open. Along with the wolf trap, the Chozos point to different aspects of life and work in pastoral farming.

Church and religious heritage

The Igrexa de Santa María das Estacas was built from dressed granite blocks and has a Latin cross floor plan. Its façade features a niche with an image of Santa María and an oculus. The church can therefore be viewed in terms of both its overall form and individual façade details: the cross-shaped floor plan describes the layout, while the niche, image and oculus identify specific elements on the front.

Another religious landmark is the Peto de ánimas das Estacas. It is an enclosed wayside shrine set into the wall of a private building in As Estacas. The church and the Peto thus differ not only in their form, but also in their setting: the church is described as a granite building with its own floor plan, while the Peto is a place of worship built into the wall of a private building.

Riverside landscape, mountain nature and petroglyphs

A relatively mature forest grows along the banks of the Alén River and its tributary, the Río da Portela do Foxo. The mountain scrubland of As Estacas provides a habitat for protected species such as the Seoane’s viper and the Montagu’s harrier. The riverside forest and mountain scrubland are two distinct natural environments.

The petroglyphs of Coto do Raposo are on a rocky outcrop with impressive views over the valley of the Couñago River. This archaeological site brings together rock carvings and sweeping landscape views. Visitors interested in the connection between cultural traces and landscape will find a different focus here than at the buildings associated with pastoral farming or the church.

The Vía Mariana from Estacas

The Vía Mariana begins at Santa María de Estacas in Fornelos de Montes. From there, it follows the Camino de Difuntos to the Pontella del Río Couñago and the Ponte Anceu. The section from Estacas offers views of the Río Parada.

Estacas brings several different facets to the fore: the history of livestock farming, the documented Chozos, religious architecture and archaeological sites, as well as forest and mountain habitats. You can plan your trip around whether you are especially interested in building styles and history, the Vía Mariana or the natural features described here.

Discover more destinations: Souto, Costoia, Anzo, A Penela, Silleda, Sieiro, Vinseiro, Ardia.

For the regional travel overview: Pontevedra.