It is also known as A cidade das Burgas[3] (in Galician) due to its hot springs, being one of the European cities with the greatest thermal heritage.

After the Romans, Ourense was part of the Suebi (Suevi) kingdom during most of the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries and was destroyed by the Moors in 716.

The Norse invasions as well as attacks from the Arab warlord Al-Mansur once more laid the city to waste.

The definitive urban impulse did not arrive until the 12th century when Ourense became an important center of services.

[9] The ancient city of Auria[10] is located on both banks of the Miño river in the south-central part of Galicia, at an elevation of 128 meters above sea level.

The biggest river divides a rather industrial western suburb, which contains the railroad station, from the main town.

Many who pass by on the highway linking Madrid to Vigo are unaware of the medieval quarter, with its narrow streets and tiny plazas.

Inside, the Capilla del Cristo, or Christ's Chapel (16th century), contains a crucifix venerated throughout Galicia.

With Roman foundations, it was reconstructed by Bishop Lorenzo in 1230 but frequently repaired since then; it has seven arches and a central span of 141 feet (43 m).

[19] The pilgrims on both routes are important to Ourense's tourism industry, especially in holy years of St. James when traffic on the Camino is especially high.

Barallete was the name of an argot employed by the traditional knife-sharpeners and umbrella makers (afiadores e paragüeiros) of Ourense.

It was based on the Galician language as spoken in Ourense, but its users substituted everyday words with invented ones of no linguistic connection, making it impossible for other people to understand it.