Monforte de Lemos is a municipality in the south of the province of Lugo (Galicia). Capital of the Terra de Lemos region and of the Ribeira Sacra, it is the largest population center in the province, after Lugo.
The municipality occupies a valley between the Miño and Sil rivers and the city is crossed by the Cabe river. Monforte de Lemos was always understood as the natural entrance to Galicia from Castile.
The history of Monforte de Lemos was always linked to the Monastery of San Vicente del Pino. Also at this time, Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro designed the Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Antigua, an emblematic building in the city, known as the Escorial Gallego. In 1883, King Alfonso XII inaugurated the railway line between Madrid and A Coruña, making Monforte the most important railway hub in Galicia. Two years later, by royal decree, Alfonso XII granted Monforte the title of "city", in gratitude for the efforts for the arrival of the railway. A new era of social, economic and cultural growth begins.
Today Monforte de Lemos is still the county seat, administrative center and the capital of the Ribeira Sacra. Tourism is one of the dynamics of the municipality and the environment, in addition to the important cultural and social activity.
