HISTORY
Ons Island: From Prehistory to the Contemporary Age.
» Prehistory
The other fort that is known as “Cova da Loba” was located in the northern part of the island, but there are only remains of ceramics, tiles and abundant concheiros.
Recently, archaeological prospecting works have brought to light the existence of various graphic representations or petroglyphs that are ascribed to a historical stage between the 4th centuries B.C. and II AD, something almost unprecedented in an insular territory.
» Ancient History
» Middle Age
The Suebi and Visigothic occupation in Galicia left no trace in Ons.
However, the existing indications suggest a total depopulation of territory due to their attacks.
» Modern Age
» Contemporary Era
Between 1835-1840, the first salting factory was installed near the quay and this changed the life of the islanders: they made fishing their main economic activity and with it they increased their population. When the company finally closed, they moved the sale of their catches to the coast.
In 1929, Manuel Riobó bought the island and installed a company for drying and trading octopus and conger eel, which meant that the islanders specialized in these species. In 1940, the State expropriated the island for national defense. Three years later, in 1943, the Ministry of Defence undertook it, intending to install a submarine base that was never built. During the 1940s and 1950s, Ons Island lived its most thriving period with almost 500 inhabitants. Its progressive depopulation over 20 years time was caused by the lack of improvement of the life conditions for the islanders. This is similar to what happened on Cíes Islands, and it came hand in hand with the tourism boom, especially relevant from the 1970s onwards. Today, Ons is the only Atlantic Island that still has a stable population, although there are fewer than 20 people living on the island.
For many years, the Isle of Ons has been known for several of its legends, which make it more attractive to tourists. One example is the legend of the famous Buraco do Inferno, a place from which it is said that you can hear the lamentations of the souls of those who suffer torment for their sins.
The island currently belongs to the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands and is a tourist destination of nature and gastronomy.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRAVEL TO THE CÍES ISLANDS OR THE ONS ISLAND FROM EASTER AND MAY 15 (EXCEPT CAMPERS), before buying the ticket, you must obtain the authorization requested by La Xunta de Galicia, in which they will provide you with the pre code -reserve (necessary to acquire the boat ticket).
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