Pre-roman period: The first occupants that we got to know were indigenous tribes formed by Cilenes, who practised pagan rites, among others, in the honor of God Edovio (name of the dance group at present). Romans subjeted these tribes and named these lands "Aquis Celenis" or "Aquae Celenae" due to the thermal phenomenon. It is difficult to make clear what sort of relation there was between the preshistoric-treasure of Caldas and the Cilenes. This treasure is to contemplate in the Museum of Pontevedra nowadays.

Roman period: Due to the priviledged strategic situation of the villa, Romans assigned it the category of Municipium through which the inhabitants could enjoy the rights of citizenship. It became the headquarter of one of the roman legions who provided Galicia. Archeologic roman remnants are very aboundant (it is worth pointing up the bridges which are included as a bearing in the escutcheon of the villa). Three bridges form parte of the Roman legacy:

• The big bridge at the Caldas gate, over the river Umia, is composed of five pointed arches. Today, it has lost its primitive shape.
• The bridge, over the river Bermaña, has three pointed arches. The way leading to this bridge still have the ancient paviment.
• The bridge formed by just one arch, in Segade, is about two kms. from Caldas. The way leading to this one still preserves the roman stones.

Romanic art: There are plenty of Romanic churches built in the Midlle Age. The architectonic style was adjusted to the artistic rules from the schools of compostela, where was a wide source of incluence coming from the famous Peregrinations. It is worth mentioning some of these churches: Santa María, San Andrés de César, Santa María de Bemil and San Estebo de Saiar.

Episcopal seat: In the council I from Toledo and the one from Oviedo we find references to Caldas as Episcopal Seat. The roman name Celenis was changed for Caldas de Rex and also Caldas de Reis (present name), consolidating its natural place-name based on the property of the thermal water. With reference to the identity of the "Rex", is due to the birth of Alfonso VII, son of Count don Ramon and Doña Urraca, who lived in a towered palace, which was domolished later on, with the purpose of using the stones for the new construction of the Caldas Church (end of the XIXth century) not without certain polemic issue. From the XIIth century, Caldas is included in the Compostela archbishop, in advance it will be really important in routes followed by Jacobean pilgrims.

Dona Urraca's tower in 1891. Archive Photo. Some of the stones were used for the construction of San Tomás Parish (1890-1894)

End of the XVIth century, Caldas no longer belongs to the Archbishop of Santiago. After this many noble families set up here, we preserve some escutcheoned-houses that belonged to them. From the XVIIIth century, Caldas kept itself as a quiet villa of province, noticeable for being the lead of the judicial party. Most of the population were farmers, while just a fex wealthy families exercised liberal professions, they run their own business and undertook industrial projects.

In the last quarter of the XIXth century and the beginning of the XXth century, the villa adopted its present shape, with the Garden-Park, Public Schools, the old people's home, the new crossway, the court and the Prison, the recovered old shape of the bridge over the river Umia, the new construction of the church of Santo Tomás, this one replaced the old one sited close to "As Burgas" and the square (called "plazuela"). All these things joinned to the disappeared Dona Urraca's Tower.

REMARK: More historic information:

• Caldas de Reis. Historic information about the villa, its backgrounds and surroundings. Hipólito de Saa Bravo - 1986. Pontevedra Museum.
• Caldas de Reis through the time. An obligatory stop in Santiago's way. Xoan M. Domato Castro.
• Rememberings and pictures of Caldas de Reis. Xoan M. Domato Castro.
• The Garden-Park and oakwood of Caldas de Reis. Carlos Rodríguez Dacal. 1999
• Guide to study water-mills of the land of Caldas de Reis. Excma. Deputy of Pontevedra
• The desenchanted treasure. The Silgadas (Caldas de Reis). Xoan M. Domato Castro. Beatriz Comendador Rey

Caldas entrance from Pontevedra