 The abbey, one of the most important religious centers of Galicia, is dated the sixth century, a period in which the Swabian territories inhabited what is now known as Galicia.Samos is bordered in the north by the municipality of Láncara; in the south by Folgoso do Courel and A Pobra do Brollón; in the east by Triacastela, Pedrafita do Cebreiro and Folgoso do Courel; and in the west by Sarria and O Incio.Samos belongs to the judicial party of Sarria and to the diocese (province of the Church) of Lugo.