Sanxenxo is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. It is situated in the southern part of the O Salnés region 15 kilometres west of the city of Pontevedra and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, and the estuaries of Pontevedra and Arousa. The municipality has a population of 17,347 inhabitants (INE 2019). A popular tourism destination, Sanxenxo is a favorite resort for Spanish public figures such as Mariano Rajoy (ex-Prime Minister of Spain) and Amancio Ortega (Co-Founder of the Inditex group). The Volvo Ocean Race was held in the town in 2005-2006. The race organisation and the competing teams chose Sanxenxo as their base in Spain. An In Port race took place in Sanxenxo on November 5. It gave spectators a chance to see the race boats at close quarters. The 2013 edition of the Tour of Spain was held in the Rias Baixas, Galicia (Spain), between August 24 to September 14. Sanxenxo was the goal in the first stage of La Vuelta 2013 that began in Vilanova de Arousa in a Batea, a wooden platform out in the water used for farming of mussels, oysters and scallops.

Location

The municipality borders the other municipalities of O Grove and Meaño in the region of Salnés and Poio in the region of Pontevedra.

Etymology

In Galician, San Xenxo means Saint Genesius, patron saint of the town (along with Santa Rosalia). The exonym in Castilian, Sangenjo is considered controversial by the Galician people and was dismissed as an official place name officer by the Board of Galicia under the Law of Linguistic Normalization of June 15, 1983, so since then the sole official toponym is Sanxenxo.

Beaches

Notable people

Related articles