The sulfurous spring whispers secrets. Parque Amieiro Galego isn’t just a park. It’s a place steeped in history. For centuries its thermal waters have drawn visitors seeking solace and healing.
Parque Amieiro Galego sits beside the Ave River. This isn’t just any park. It’s a 13000 square meter haven opened in 2012. It’s a place of recreation and leisure. It offers picnic areas a playground and a bar with a terrace. But its true story is far more profound.
Long before the modern playground and picnic benches. Parque Amieiro Galego held a different charm. It was known for its thermal springs. People journeyed here for centuries. They sought relief from ailments like rheumatism skin diseases and syphilis.
Records date back to 1860. A survey listed the waters as a “bath pool”. The exact composition and temperature weren’t determined then. In 1922 the Ecos de Negrelos newspaper reported on the opening of the “Caldas de S Miguel das Aves”. This was at the “Lameiro Galego” site. The newspaper praised the waters’ “prodigious effects”.
A rudimentary bathhouse served visitors. Then in the late 1950s. Sampaio Ferreira a local company modernized the baths. They built a pavilion with cabins and showers. The improved facilities drew many visitors. Sampaio Ferreira later leased the springs to the Narciso Ferreira Foundation.
The local council took over in 1975. They ran the baths until 1999. That’s when concerns about water quality halted operations. The bathhouse fell into disrepair. The dream of formal thermal baths faded.
But the water’s healing power remains. People still visit Parque Amieiro Galego. Some bathe in the springs. Others collect water to take home. The park holds a special significance. It preserves history. It offers a unique blend of nature and therapeutic heritage. So visit Parque Amieiro Galego. Feel its history. Listen to its whispers. Experience its magic.