Along with the Pazo da Albariña manor house, the Pazo do Cotón stands out in the townscape. It is located on the Camino Real (Real Road) to Fisterra and was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. At the Porta da Capela, it spans the road with three arcades, and the upper wall is crenellated.
The first settlements in the Negreira area were located at the strategically important ford over the Río Tambre, as well as on the main road to the coast (from Grandimirun, now Brandomil, to Aquis Celenis, now Caldas de Reis), and on the other hand, the riverside road along the Tambre, which connects the interior with the coastal region around Noia.
Pre-Roman activities can be traced throughout the A Barcala area. The settlement of Nicraria Tamara is mentioned in Roman times, during which time silver mines were also exploited here.
In 876, Negreira passed into the possession of the Compostelaan bishop Sisando by royal decree. In 979, Normans raided the Galician coast, and the town was wiped out. After the threat from the Normans and Moors was overcome, the town was rebuilt in 1113.
The Catholic Monarchs granted the town a royal privilege known as the Fuero Real, which secured Negreira's independence from the Compostelaan archbishop. Charles V renewed the privilege in 1520.