Spectacular oak grove where, for over 500 years, the municipality’s flagship economic, social and cultural event has been held. Declared Party of Touristic Interest of Galicia on the 2025.

This emblematic space, formed by impressive oaks, is the venue where, each 11 November, the San Martiño Horse Fair, of great importance for the region and unique in the Galician setting, is held, and which is why it is also known as the Campo de la Feria [Fairground].

The San Martiño Fair was already documented in the 16th century. Its existence was attested for the first time in 1557. Initially there were three fairs, as recorded in the Catastro of Ensenada; two in spring (Easter of Flowers and of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost) and one in autumn, the San Martiño fair, which is the only one that is still held. The San Martiño Fair, in November, used to close an annual livestock trading calendar, which also included the fairs of Padrón and Compostela. The fair arose at this spot as Francos was blessed with a unique geographical and administrative situation. Francos was located alongside of the principal north-south routes running through Galicia. 

With 500 years of history, it remains, above all, a horse fair, but it is also an important manifestation of tradition and popular culture, of enormous importance throughout the region. Nowadays, it still has enormous pulling power, bringing together thousands of people who, in addition the sale of cattle, also flock to the tents selling octopus and other craft products. 

The Carballeira de Francos forms part of the cultural heritage that we can find in the itinerary of the Camino de Santiago, and the attachment that the inhabitants of the region feel for it is palpable, as evidenced by the numerous traditional songs on the theme: “

Viva Francos, viva Francos, viva Francos viva ben, viva a nosa carballeira, viva o Vilar tamén!” [Long live Francos, long live Francos, long live Francos well, long live our oak grove, long live Vilar, too]