Route 7 Camino de Santiago - Ponferrada
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Declared a Historic Site in 1976, it lies in the heart of the Bierzo region. Low-lying lands dotted with valleys lead to steep gorges and sheer faces. Site of an Iron Age fortified settlement, its origins date back to the 10th century, when the Knights Templar built a fortress. A town would spring up, huddled around this castle that defended the Pilgrims’ Way of Saint James. This magnificent fortress is perfectly conserved, thanks to ongoing extension and renovation work throughout its history.
Ponferrada's rich history offers visitors the chance to discover many other, equally interesting sights. Indeed, they will be fascinated by the Basilica of La Encina, Calle del Reloj, site of one of the towers of the city wall, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which, as the name indicates, is presided over by the magnificent City Hall, El Bierzo Museum, housed in the former Royal Prison, as well as the monasteries, such as Santiago de Peñalba, or churches such as the Mozarabic Santo Tomás de las Ollas, or the Romanesque Santa María de Vizbayo.
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What to see?
Herreria de CompludoMore informationOn the occasion of the 13th commemoration of San Fructuoso in 1966, the beginnings of this type of industry are associated with the origins of the monastery of Compludo, founded by the saint in the 7th...
Hermitage of Santa CruzMore information18th-century shrine that has kept some remains of the first building, such as visigoth and mozarab reliefs from the 10th century.
Monastery of San Pedro de MontesMore informationFounded in the 7th century by San Fructuoso, it remained active until the Muslim invasion. It was restored later by San Genadio. The reconstruction dates from the 12th to the 13th centuries. Nowadays it...
Church of Santa Maria de VizbayoMore informationThe church has a single nave with semicircular chevet. It is a simple construction of irregular ashlar blocks. The nave is covered by a barrel vault separated from the chevet by a triumphal arch supported...
Monastery Church of SantiagoMore informationThe hermit monk San Genadio, who later became Bishop of Astorga, founded this monastery, built between 909 and 916. The church is of a later date. It was consecrated in 1105.In 1968 the reconstruction...
Castle of PonferradaMore informationThe castle consists of a lar polygonal enclosure (more than 8,000 m2) with double and triple battlements, turrets, rooms and a large low courtyard or albacar.It was one of the largest fortress of north-western...
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la EncinaMore informationThis renaissance church with a latin cross ground plan was started before 1573 according to the plans of Juan Alvear. It contains an interesting altarpiece, by members of the school o Gregorio Fernández,...
Minero Siderurgica de Ponferrada Thermal Power StationMore informationAn architectural ensemble of Spain's industrial history that has its origins in the early 20th century, with the construction of the original building dating back to 1920. The thermal power station and...
Tower of the ClockMore informationRising up over one of the gates in the wall, this arch leads to Ponferrada’s liveliest street. It was erected during the reign of Charles I in the 16th century and his coat of arms appears on the entrance...
