The history of Palas de Rei appears closely linked to military culture, which retains many of the archaeological remains (dolmens and forts) from a remote settlement.

The church of Vilar de Donas stands out as one of the main references of Galician Romanesque, declared in 1931 historical-artistic monument.

The "Lucus Augusti" route passed through this area, and already in the sixth century was it confirmed as a part of the county of "Ulliensis", being the Middle Ages a period of prosperity for the town, thanks to the Camino de Santiago.

The "Codex Calixtino" quoted Palas as an obligatory stop for the pilgrims to face the last stretches of the Jacobean route.

The town hall of Palas de Rei has an extensive artistic heritage that reflects the noble past of these lands, as it preserves remains of forts, towers, castles, as well as several mansions and emblazoned houses.