Country Houses in Láncara

Joanne United States

Our family of four had an extraordinary three-night stay at Casa Toirán. Our studio and one-bedroom apartments, in this newly renovated, farm-house hotel, were clean, spacious, and beautifully decorated. From our terrace, we overlooked a picturesque valley that offered us views of spectacular sunsets. And while our location was tranquil and pastoral, we were only short drives from Sarría and Lugo. But most of all, it was our hosts, Pilar and her daughter Elena, who made our stay at Casa Toirán so special. After learning that we had come to Casa Toirán hoping to find our family’s genealogical roots in a nearby Galician village, and realizing that we had limited information to go on and even more limited Spanish language skills, Pilar and Elena offered to help us with our search. They located and accompanied us to the appropriate Records Office to find our family’s civil documents. They identified and brought us to our family’s church and convinced the custodian to open if for us. And, miraculously, through multiple phone calls to friends of friends, they introduced us to 89-year-old Manual who actually remembered our ancestors and knew where their house had once stood. Pilar and Elena were exceptional women, teaching us all about Spanish generosity, hospitality, and kindness. They gave us a link to our family’s heritage, a gift we will always treasure, and we will never forget them.