Via Romana (Roman road), also known as Geira, was probably built at the end of the first century and connected Bracara Augusta (now Braga) to Asturica (now Astorga, Spain), and was about 318 kilometers long.
The construction of this type of road was of extreme importance for the Roman Empire, which, in addition to the various uses they had, the most important was undoubtedly the passage of their armies at a time when the conquests were of utmost importance for the growth and maintenance of the empire.
These routes, whose route was very well delineated, had no sharp descents or ascents, and their use was maintained far beyond the fall of the Roman Empire, having been integrated into the paths of Santiago and traversed by thousands of pilgrims until about the beginning of the 20th century.
It is also possible to discover a magnificent collection of milestones distributed along this route. The landmarks served to indicate the distance, in miles, to the capital of the province, but also to honor the Roman emperors.
Leaving Campo do Gerês in the direction of the Vilarinho das Furnas Dam, a few meters before, on the right, there is a dirt road that can be traveled by car to observe some of these landmarks.
Among the dense vegetation on the banks of the Homem River, it is still possible to contemplate some small waterfalls and creeks that tear the green and rocky ground to the river.
Via Romana Location
Google Maps Coordinates: 41.76704, -8.19036 | open on Google Maps
GPS Coordinates: 41°46’01.3″N 8°11’25.3″W
