Since 1973, the village of Pazos de Arenteiro has been considered a Historical-Artistic Site, making it the only rural area in Galicia with such a designation. This site includes a Romanesque church, several manors and large houses, and two medieval bridges. It is a nucleus with more than a thousand years of history. The village’s splendor reached its peak in the 12th century, thanks to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and in 1542 by the Commandery of San Xoán de Jerusalén. This latter entity, a dynamic agent, especially promoted the production and commercialization of wine until the 16th century. Currently, the village is composed of:
- Church of San Salvador: of Romanesque style with small Gothic traces, it was the site of the Order of San Xoán de Malta. Its facade presents enormous decorative richness, with a small cross in the tympanum of the gate and flanked by two pairs of columns with capitals featuring vegetal and bird motifs. Inside, we can find the altarpiece of Aroúxeles by Master Sobrado and the Virgin of Milk from the 16th century.
- Pazo de Arriba: of a sober facade with a coat of arms, featuring four chimneys topped with ball pyramids and a restored hipped roof. It is currently divided into two parts, one of which is fully conditioned.
- Doctor’s House: with a square plan, two stories, and a private patio with good views.
- Casa do Palenque: wooden carpentry and a three-sided roof with a sober facade featuring a balcony supported by corbels.
- Casa de Penedo: former residence of the Inquisitor of Santiago, now restored. The main railing of its facade belonged to the Monastery of Oseira and was relocated following the Mendizábal disentailment.
- Muíño da Carauquela: located on the banks of the Ávia River and near the entrance bridge to the village. Despite being in ruins, it retains 3 of its original walls and the water channels.
- Muíño do Arenteiro: located on the banks of the Arenteiro River, it preserves inside the milling mechanism and the channels through which the water used to flow.
- Pazo de los Feijóo: a small construction with semicircular arches resting on pillars. It began to be built in 1553 and was later expanded.
- Pazo de Doña Elisa: a farmhouse built in a “U” shape with a private patio. Its facade features a shield crowned by a vegetal plume.
- Bridge of the Cross: originally had four complete arches. Currently, only one of them remains. Additionally, the construction of the nearby reservoir causes it to have an exaggerated height above the level of the Avia River.
- Bridge of the Holy Sepulchre: medieval bridge with two semicircular arches (10 and 4.82 m) featuring the cross of the Holy Sepulchre and the relief of a Saint.
- Rectoral Pazo da Encomenda: now rehabilitated as a guesthouse, this rectangular two-story building was formerly a much larger and more important monastery.