Attractions and Places To See around Carracedelo - Top 20

The Church of Santiago dates back to the 12th century, the Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness), and is located next to the Cathedral of Santiago. They are the only ones that can grant the Jubilee, in this case it will be due to illness or accident that prevents you from continuing on to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Stage of the Camino de Santiago. It goes from the vineyards of Bierzo to the green mountains of the mythical O Cebreiro pass

At the end of the 11th century, Osmundo, Bishop of Astorga, ordered the construction of a bridge (partly made of iron = pons ferrata) over the Sil for the pilgrims on the Way of St. James, near which a settlement was built. At the "pons ferrata", the iron bridge, the Knights Templar built a huge castle on a surface area of 160 x 90 m to protect the pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The medieval castle complex was inhabited by the Knights Templar from 1178 to 1312. Source: Wikipedia

The Templars' heyday from the 12th to 14th centuries led to the construction of this mighty fortress, among other things to protect the pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The rampart on the city hill stands out impressively against the mountain backdrop and absolutely conforms to the stereotypical image of a knight's castle. It is sensationally well maintained and a feast for the eyes.

The order, often referred to simply as the "Order of the Knights Templar," whose full name is "Poor Knights of Christ and of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem," takes us mentally back to the 13th century. Founded in the Holy Land, it spread surprisingly quickly to many countries in Central Europe, and this castle complex in Ponferrada, northern Spain, was one of its numerous branches. The order gained notoriety through its dissolution in 1312 by the French king and the pope, and many of its members were burned at the stake as alleged heretics. The main reason for the dissolution, however, was not the members' human and religious misconduct (heresy), which was merely a pretext, but the legendary wealth of this order. King Philip IV of France primarily wanted to secure the treasures to bolster his coffers.

La Cuevona and La Encantada are two impressive places in Las Médulas, an area with a rich mining history and a unique landscape. The Cave: It is a gallery dug into the mountain, part of the ancient network of tunnels and galleries used in Roman mining exploitation. It has the highest height of all the existing galleries in Las Médulas. It is an important reference point for those exploring the Las Valiñas path. As you pass in front of La Cuevona, you will climb a small slope protected by a railing of wooden logs. The enchanted: It is also part of the old mining network. Upon arriving at La Encantada, you will be surprised by its unusual luminosity due to the entry of light from a hole at the top. There are two tunnels that branch off to the left and right, and from inside, you can see a beautiful landscape. Both caves are witnesses of Roman mining activity and offer a unique experience for visitors. I hope you enjoy exploring La Cuevona and La Encantada! 🏞️🚶‍♂️

The Orellán Gallery is an ancient underground water conduit that extends for about 100 meters. Its original function was to transport water from inside the mountain to burst it from within. The conduit ends at a viewpoint located in a vertical cut of the mountain, offering an impressive view. These galleries were part of the mining exploitation system known as Ruinae Montium. The Romans used these structures to extract minerals and natural resources. I hope you enjoy this historical and natural experience! 😊

The Templar Castle of Ponferrada is a superb building. It houses the Templar Library and the Ponferrada Center for Research and Historical Studies, with over 1,400 books, including facsimiles of works by Leonardo da Vinci. It was originally a Roman camp and later a citadel. In the early 12th century, the Templars took possession of the fortress, strengthening and expanding it to serve as a residential palace and as a protection for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The building has an irregular square plan, and its most notable entrance is reached by crossing the moat over a drawbridge and, further on, two large crenellated towers joined by an arch. Its twelve original towers depicted the constellations.