All land ahead is Galicia

We say goodbye to Minho at every step, through dirt tracks and green horizons. On the way out of Rubiães, on EN 201, there is a sign marking the first yellow arrow of the Portuguese Way. It is not an original sign, but it is still an important milestone of the way. And how many times in history have Jacobean itineraries included smaller or bigger untruths?

Should the Chapel of St. Benedict of the Open Door be faithful to its origin and be open, go in and get to know one of the last Portuguese Baroque temples. The last one is already on the Spanish side: the Chapel of St. Elmo, in Tui, built by a Portuguese architect. Through Gontomil and Fontoura, the way follows the old medieval road until it crosses the Pedreira bridge. If you have time, the interior of Valença's fortress is a place to get to know slowly. Its streets are a treaty of military architecture and, if you go around the hostel, you will enjoy the most beautiful panorama over Tui and the banks of the Minho River. All land ahead is Galicia.

You can spend the night in Valença, but if you cross the border you will gain an hour with the change of time zone. On the international bridge over the Minho River we say goodbye to Portugal. Arrival to Tui is quick, going up to the cathedral, the grandest Romanesque temple before the Compostela cathedral.