History of San Simón Island
San Simón Island has a rich and varied history. During the Middle Ages, it was home to a community of monks and an important stage for Galician-Portuguese lyric poetry, which flourished as one of the most prominent literary traditions in medieval Europe. This period of cultural splendor turned the archipelago into a symbol of spirituality and literary creativity of the time.
In later centuries, pirate attacks, especially that of the famous English privateer Sir Francis Drake, marked a turbulent chapter in the islands' history. Additionally, in 1702, the archipelago witnessed the famous Battle of Rande, a naval confrontation between the Anglo-Dutch and Hispano-French forces. The battle ended in a victory for the former and left behind a legacy of legends about sunken treasures in the estuary.
In more recent times, the island's use changed radically. During the 19th century, it became a lazaretto and was used for isolating the sick to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. However, its darkest role came during the Spanish civil war when it was transformed into a concentration camp, where around 6,000 political prisoners were held.
After all the adversities the island had faced, in the second half of the 20th century, it was decided to turn it into a school for orphaned children of sailors. After its restoration in recent decades, the islands have regained part of their former glory, now being used for sociocultural activities such as conferences, congresses, music schools, and camps. This revitalization process has allowed San Simón Island to become a place of historical memory and cultural exchange. Since 2022, the Museo do Mar de Galicia (Museum of the Sea of Galicia) has assumed the management of San Simon Island, with the goal of promoting the project by the Consellería de Cultura (Regional Department of Culture) focused on the conservation and enhancement of this iconic site.