route 12 Trail through the Cidade da Cultura and Alameda Park

Sources cited by López Alsina document the arrival of wine through this route already in the XII century. In the Middle Ages, the paths to access the city of Santiago could be dangerous for transit, especially in winter thanks to the rain and swellings causing mud which made it difficult for people and animals to pass through. Several witnesses talk in a report from halfway through the XVI century about seeing carriages get bogged down and horses sinking “up to their bellies”, having to unload in very dangerous conditions. This report shows the damage that the state of the roads originated for the city, its dwellers, pilgrims and the people that came to the markets. Among the paths cited as dangerous is the one passing near Sar. To stop the issue, the cited report advised canalizing the waters and creating stone roads.
The Sar Roman Road, next to the Piñeiro Royal Road are unique elements of Santiago’s historical heritage. As it turns out, the Sar Roman Road is a well-preserved section of the Castilla Royal Road. 350 meters long by 4 meters wide, it still keeps the pavement and design from the XVIII century. These dates match up with the period when the Royal Decree of June 10th 1781, signed by Carlos III, was published, which was the first general plan for well-paved roads in Spain. Between Piñeiro (in the O Eixo parish) and Santa Lucía Chapel another stretch of the Castilla Royal Road is preserved.