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Ponferrada

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Ponferrada, from the Latin Pons Ferrata, Iron Bridge, derived from the iron reinforcements added to the ancient bridge over the river Silis. It is the capital of the region of El Bierzo in the province of León, Castile y León, Spain. It lies on the Sil River, a tributary of the river Miño and has a population of 63,000.

The region was an important mining area during the Roman period, when many different metals and minerals were extracted after the area had been conquered by the emperor Augustus in the twenty years BC. There are numerous Roman mines in the area, one of the most spectacular being the gold mines of Las Medulas which were designation a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

During the second half of the 20th century the economy of the town was based on coal mining, but in the 1980s many mines were closed and the economy is now based mainly on tourism, agriculture (fruit and wine), wind power generation and slate mining.

The city is noted for the Castillo de los Templarios, a Knights Templar castle which covers approximately 16,000 square meters. In 1178, Fernando II of León donated the city to the Knights Templar to protect the pilgrims on the Way of St. James who passed through El Bierzo on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

The Castle hosted the Knights Templar's Grand Master of Castille. However, the Templars were only able to enjoy the use of their fortress for about twenty years before the order was disbanded and its properties confiscated in 1311. Several noble houses fought over the assets until Alfonso XI gave them to the Count of Lemos in 1340. Finally the Catholic Monarchs incorporated Ponferrada and its castle into the Crown in 1486.
 
As with many other historical sites in Europe, many of the blocks that at one point formed the walls of the castle were removed and used in local construction projects. Extensive restoration works are ongoing.

Since 1958, Nuestra Señora de la Encina has been the patorn saint of the Bierzo region. The 16th century Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina with it's carved altar and statue of the Virgin Mary with child Jesus in named in honor of the patron saint.

The 16th century Town Hall, Ayuntamiento, and the 16th century Torre de Reloj lead from the Plaza de Ayuntamiento into the old town along Calle de Reloj.

The 16th century old prison building on the Calle de Reloj is now home to the Museo del Bierzo.

Ponferrada hosts its annual festival, Fiestas de La Encina, during the first week of September with many concerts and activities for adults and especially children, and in July it organises a very popular Templar Night in its Templar Castle where participants dress up and recreate town life during the 14th century. 

Layout

Ponferrada has undergone major modernisation in recent years. Anything worth visiting can be found in the old town in and around the castle.

Getting There & Back

To get there you should book a flight to/from Santiago de Compostela, León or Valladolid

On arrival you might be interested in hiring a car, book a train ticket or book a bus ticket to get you to your final destination

Accommodation

Albergue San Nicolás de Flue, Calle de la Loma off Avenida del Castillo.

Beds: 200 in rooms of 4. Open all year. Has cooking & laundry facilities.

Check here for great deals on hotels in Ponferrada or check here to see if there is any budget hostel accommodation in the area

Hotel de los Templarios **, Flórez Osorio 3. Tel: (0034) 987 41 14 84

Email: info@hotellostemplarios.info Website: www.hotellostemplarios.info

Pension Mining *, Via Nueva 17. Tel: (0034) 987 411 326

Pension Leonis Maciás *, Almería 5. Tel: (0034) 987 403 855

Pension King Jofra *, Bishop Marcelo 10. Tel: (0034) 987 401 478

Pension Triacastela *, La Cierva 3. Tel: (0034) 987 412 273

Pension Valcarce *,Trout, 9. Tel: (0034) 987 411 137

Hostal Montecarlo *, Antonio Cortes 24. Tel: (0034) 987 455 703

Hostal Conde de Lemos *, Avda Galicia 85. Tel: (0034) 987 41 10 91

Hostal la Madrid *, Antolin Lopez Pelaez 4. Tel: (0034) 987 412 857

Hostal San Miguel *, Luciana Fernandez 2. Phone. Tel: (0034) 987 411 047

Hostal San Miguel II *, Juan de Lama 18. Phone. Tel: (0034) 987 426 700

Hostal Santa Cruz **, Marcelo Macías 4. Phone. Tel: (0034) 987 428 379

Check here for great deals on hotels in Ponferrada or check here to see if there is any budget hostel accommodation in the area

Where to Eat

In Ponferrada and its surrounding area you can enjoy a wide range of restaurants and mesons of various prices where you can taste typical products of Bierzo. The most popular of these as are the botillo, sausage, variety of pies, Bierzo peppers, trout, and eel.

You can also sample delicious liqueurs like brandy, and local wines, some of which are internationally renowned as well as delicious desserts made from products of the region of Bierzo such as pippin apple pie.

Ponferrada is renowned for the production of six outstanding products of exceptional quality: Wine, The pippin apple, the pepper, the botillo, the jerky and the pear.

Tourist Information/ Oficina de Turismo

Tourist Office, Calle Gil y Carrasco 4. Tel: (0034) 987 42 42 36

Email: turismo@ponferrada.org

Website: www.ponferrada.org

Opening: Jul & Aug Mon–Sat 9am–12.30 & 2–7pm

Sep–Jun Mon–Sat 9am–noon & 2–7pm;

Post Office / Oficina de Correos

Main Post Office, Avenida General Vives 1. Tel: (0034) 987 410 928

Opening: Mon - Fri 08:30 - 20:30

Saturday: 09:30 - 13:00

Medical & Emergency Services

Emergency Number for all services: 112

Local Police, Calle Ancha 46. Tel: (0034) 987 446 627 / 28

Fire Brigade, Calle de la Chopera. Tel (landline): 080

Hospital de El Bierzo Tel: (0034) 987 455 200.

Health Center I (High Zone) Tel: (0034) 987 400 611.

Health Center II (Polygon) Tel: (0034) 987 410 250.

Health Center III (Temple) Tel: (0034) 987 400 221 / 987 423 725.

Queen's Hospital Tel: (0034) 987 410 059.

Clínica Ponferrada Tel: (0034) 987 423 732.

Red Cross Tel: (0034) 987 427 013.

Others

Switchboard Tel: (0034) 987 446 600

Information Tel: (0034) 987 446 657

General Care Tel: (0034) 987 446 62