A Rúa

A Rúa is a mostly rural Galician municipality in the comarca of Valdeorras, eastern province of Ourense, 101 km (63 mi) from the provincial capital, Ourense. An inhabitant of the area is known as a Rués (plural Rueses).

It contains three parroquias: A Rúa de Valdeorras, Roblido and San Xulián.

Geography

The municipality of A Rúa is bordered on the north by lugués de Quiroga and in the east by Vilamartín de Valdeorras east, it is part of the Diocese of Astorga. A Rúa is on the northern edge of the Valdeorras valley. The Cereixido hills are on the northern part of the municipality, with Cabeza Porriñas (1.221 m) as its highest point. The river Sil marks the southern boundary of the municipality. The temperate Mediterranean climate is marked by low rainfall and dry summers. Its micro climate and terrain makes the region excellent for viticulture.

History

According to Pliny the Elder, before the arrival of the Romans, A Rúa and the rest of the comarca of Valdeorras was occupied by the Celtiberian Cigurri tribe (also known as the Egurri). The medieval and modern name of the comarca is derived from this tribe meaning "valley of the Cigurri" (Val de Geurres) The Cigurri were part of the Cismontani branch of the Asturian people. They spoke the Celtic Gallaecian language. The Romans under Emperor Augustus invaded in 25 BC leading to the Asturian war which lasted until 19 BC, although there were minor rebellions until 16 BC. Near A Rúa and Petín was the location of the Forum Cigurrorum, the political center of the Cigurri, located on the via Nova (via XVIII) between Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta.