Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
57. Templar Castle, Ponferrada
In the Middle Ages, the
Kights Templar
were very powerful, sometimes entrusted with pro-
tectingwholecities,ashappenedinthe13thCentury,whentheMonarchsofLeóngavethem
the custody of Ponferrada.
The Templars built a majestic castle (probably over the remains of a Roman citadel), to use
as headquarters and guarantee the protection of pilgrims who walked the way of St. James
in uncertain times.
The structure of the castle saw several changes through the years, and the latest areas were
added in the early 16th Century. Unfortunately, the Ponferrada municipality later allowed
the castle to deteriorate, until it was declared part of the national patrimony and had to un-
dergo repair.
Some of the current architectonical elements are from the 20th Century, but the castle retains
much of its medieval nature, and it's one of the most remarkable in Spain. Visits include ac-
cess to a very interesting museum of medieval clothing.
Image Credit: The gate of the castle. Image by
amaianos
.
