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THE BEACH OF CATHEDRALS
The Beach of Cathedrals
A stone sanctuary overlooking the Cantabrian Sea
Ribadeo
Words: Rosario Alonso - Photos: Jose A. Muñoz
On the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, in the Lucense municipality of Riba-
deo, unfolds a landscape that seems neither the work of man nor chance.
The Beach of the Cathedrals, or Praia das Catedrais, is one of those pla-
ces where the earth appears to have tried to imitate art. Its walls, arches,
and stone vaults evoke the solemnity of a Gothic cathedral, but here there are no
stained-glass windows or bell towers: only rock, sea, wind, and a silence that com-
mands respect.
It was also called Praia de Augas Santas, a name that alludes to the almost liturgi-
cal feeling one experiences when beholding it. Declared a Natural Monument, it is
a natural architectural spectacle, a geological marvel that survives a constant battle
between the Cantabrian Sea and stone, time and tide.
Photos of the famous arch that gives the beach its name
A legacy millions of years
in the making
More than 500 million years have shaped these cliffs.
Sediments of quartzite, slate, and schist were com-
pressed on ancient seabeds and, thanks to tectonic
movements, were uplifted. Then came the sea—the
tireless sculptor. Waves, wind, and salt have carved
arches up to 30 metres high, damp columns, caves,
and tunnels that only reveal themselves at low tide.
The beach appears only at certain times: submerged
at high tide, it is revealed as soon as the sea recedes
and the pillars open once again. In those moments,
you can walk among stone columns, touch the salty
surface of the rock, and enter rocky corridors where
light and water reflections create an intimate, almost
spiritual atmosphere. It is not just about looking; it is
about stepping onto the planet’s history.
Access points, viewpoints, and
walkways
The path to the beach requires some planning. Lo-
cated about 10 km from Ribadeo, the site requires
advance booking during peak times: Easter, July,
August, and holidays. This measure helps regulate
visitor flow and protect the environment. From the
cliff top, elegant wooden walkways lead down to the
beach—always depending on the tide
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