PONFERRADA

An important town in the province of León and capital of the Bierzo region. 

It is a tectonic pot with a privileged climate, with mild temperatures. It has around 60,000 inhabitants and has been a land of Templars, castles and beautiful monasteries. 

Its origins date back to the 9th century, when a bishop, Osmundo, decided to build a bridge so that pilgrims to Compostela could cross the river Sil.  

Its rivers are very important, some of them gold-bearing, others trout-fishing; today, agriculture continues to be important, with stupendous D.O. wines together with its peppers, cherries, sour cherries and apples.  

Coal mining has been the industrial engine of this area, leaving its mark on the surroundings. Not in vain, there were the famous gold mines, which Rome exploited for 250 years, the famous Médulas, a World Heritage Site since 1997. 

We cannot forget its 12th century castle, seat of the Order of the Temple, the church of San Andrés, the basilica of La Encina or its main square.