CITY COUNCIL

The building of the city council was built following a project by the architect Ventura Rodriguez in 1778. It is a reform and extension of the old town hall dated at the end of the 15th century. The most outstanding features of its façade are the balcony overlooking the Chapter House, the neoclassical capitals with iron laurel garlands and the polychrome decoration representing the coats of arms of the branches of Spain, the Kingdom of Galicia and the city in the arrangement that they would also have at Porta da Vila. The upper floor was originally intended to be the residence of the Corregidor.

Did you know that in the entrance hall three coats of arms of the original building have been preserved? That of Galicia (with a single ciborium), that of Betanzos and that of King Emperor Carlos I. Also two medallions with busts that keep the mystery of who are represented in them

The Clock Tower, annexed to the Church of Santiago, belongs to the Casa do Concello complex. Its origin is medieval since the church was adapted to it when it was rebuilt in the 14th century. The two coats of arms of the city stand out next to the clock that indicates the municipal ownership. The bells had the function of telling the time, summoning the council and warning of the annual cutting of the reed in the marshes. It should be noted that it still has some cracks from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.