buildings
April 23, 2024
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The Castle of the Templars in Ponferrada

In the Leon city of Ponferrada there are a lot of very interesting places, as well as delicious cuisine. Among the many places of interest that you can find is the Templar Castle, located at the junction of the «Camino de Santiago» between León and Villafranca and in a fantastic natural environment on top of a hill about 60 meters above the river Sil.

This castle was originally a pre-Roman fort and a small citadel, although it was later rebuilt and the kings of León donated it to the city so that they could attend to the pilgrims who made the Santiago's road. As for their name, the Templars were skilled warriors who had an excellent commercial network that made them receive many donations as gifts and in some cases even towns or villages.

The Templars were guardians of royal treasures in many countries, such as France, and they settled in Ponferrada in the 12th century to give protection to pilgrims. In 1312 the Order of the Templars was dissolved, the castle becoming the property of the crown of León, although it continued to retain its name. It is a place that has always generated a lot of attention and mystery, being also one of the strengths most impressive on the European continent.

In all the years it has been built, several reforms have been made to maintain it or to add blocks or rooms. He was also known as the «Castle of the twelve constellations» thanks to the 12 towers that it has and that simulate the different location of the stars in the sky. It also has a moat that is surrounded by a lift bridge, as well as a huge patio at the bottom and a double line of walls.

If you travel during the month of July you may be lucky enough to see a show that is held there and that is the recreation of the Order of the TemplarsIt is held over a weekend and all kinds of activities are organized to remember and honor the Templars. Among these activities there is a medieval market, a falconry exhibition, tasting of typical dishes and wines, children's workshops, storytelling, theatrical performances and much more.