The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages the Church dominated Galician society, and Vigo would have been under the rule of the Cistercian Monastery in Melón for some time.
During this time pirate attacks from northern Europe were frequent so the local people moved inland to safer ground at the hill of O Castro.
The city was to become well-known for its olive plantations and a prospering port trade.
Documentary evidence of Romanic churches within present-day city boundaries proves the existence of important settlements in the area in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. These were located in parishes that still exist today such as Santiago de Bembrive, San Salvador de Coruxo and Santa María de Castrelos. Two bridges also remain at Sárdoma and Fragoso and there are Romanic remains at the hermitage of O Freixo in Valadares and the Baroque churches at Sárdoma and Santa Cristina in Lavadores.
From the 12th century, the population of the city began to increase again. However, it still remained under the rule of Church and feudal lords. The parish of Santiago de Vigo and the quarter of Santa María were the most important in the city. Development was limited due to the fact that the Crown granted nearby Baiona the right of sea trade with other cities.
One of the most typical lyrical compositions of this time is the beautiful Cantigas de Amigo by Martín Codax.