Villafranca del Bierzo

The historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo It is located northwest of the province of León, almost bordered on Galicia. It is a town with about three thousand inhabitants that was already inhabited in pre-Roman times, as evidenced by the site of the Castro de la Ventosa.

El the Camino de Santiago go through him In fact, his name itself could allude to the Franks who arrived in the area following the Jacobean Route. In any case, the town in Leon offers you a good number of monuments and, above all, a privileged natural environment. For all this, we are going to show you what to see and what to do in Villafranca del Bierzo.

A privileged nature

As we told you, Villafranca is in the Leon area of Bierzo, already close to Galicia. The Burbia and Valcarce rivers converge in the urban nucleus itself. Precisely, a good part of its natural environment is made up of green valleys with streams that flow between mountains. In fact, very close to the town are the first foothills of the Sierra of the Ancares, which separates the provinces of León and Lugo.

It is precisely an area classified as Biosphere Reserve of the Leonese Ancares. And it includes mountains such as Peñarredonda, Monte da Fervenza or Alto da Fiosa, all over a thousand meters high. We don't need to tell you that throughout this area you have beautiful hiking trails that offer you dream landscapes.

Holm oaks and cork oaks follow one another in them, mixing with gigantic penedos (large stones) between pebbles to form a dreamlike landscape with something magical. Also contributing to this are small towns scattered throughout the mountains such as Porcarizas, Pobladura de Somoza or Villar de Acero, which we will talk about later. There is no shortage, in some of these populations, trees loaded with symbolism and history. For example, him Campania from this last locality, which is considered the largest chestnut tree in the Iberian Peninsula. Or the cypress of the Convent of the Announced, already in Villafranca itself, which is the oldest in Spain.

They also abound in this area. fields like Fombasallá, from which you can spot specimens of golden or short-toed eagles, gray partridges or owls. But also, in the distance, roe deer, chamois, wild boar and even wolf and brown bear.

In short, the surroundings of Villafranca del Bierzo house everything that nature lovers want to see. But, as we told you, the Leonese town has many monuments, each more interesting. Let's discover them.

San Nicolás and other religious monuments of Villafranca del Bierzo

Perhaps the most impressive building in this town is the Church of San Nicolás, which was actually a whole convent and school. Of its majesty, the fact that it tries to reproduce El Escorial. It was built in the XNUMXth century and its grandiose façade stands out as a whole. But it also has jewelry inside. It houses the image of Holy Christ of Hope, patron of the town, as well as others of San Ignacio de Loyola or San Francisco Javier.

No less spectacular is the Saint Collegiate Church of Saint Mary of Cluny, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, although its origin was in a XNUMXth-century Benedictine monastery. Its base is late Gothic, but it also includes Renaissance and, above all, Baroque elements. However, the choir is rococo and the main altar is neoclassical. Also, inside, you can see beautiful chapels such as the Rosario and the Santísima Trinidad.

more austere is the church of Santiago Apóstol, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, although a Baroque chapel was added later. It is Romanesque and houses a valuable carving of a Byzantine crucified Christ, also dated from the XNUMXth century. To the same period belongs the no less beautiful convent of San Francisco de Asís, of which only the Romanesque church built in exposed stone remains. However, later extensions gave it Gothic and even Baroque features. As for the interior, we advise you to pay attention to the beautiful Plateresque choir and the Churrigueresque style main altarpiece and great proportions.

The religious heritage of Villafranca del Bierzo is completed by the convents of La Anunciada, with its Italianate style; Saint Joseph; the Divina Pastora and the Concepción, as well as the church of San Juan, which also belonged to a seventh-century monastery, although it is later.

Villafranca castle and other civil monuments

If we tell you that the entire town in Leon is a monument in itself, we will not miss the truth. Just walk through the famous water street to check. Narrow and cobbled, it is the most typical and summarizes the entire history of the town. Not in vain, it has spent hundreds of years watching pilgrims who make the Jacobean Route.

But, above all, in it you can see several baroque-style stately palaces such as those of Torquemada and the Marquises of Villafranca. Although there are also previous constructions such as the Moorish House, dated in the fifteenth century, or the peculiar tower houses. You even have in it the house where the romantic novelist was born Enrique Gil and Carrasco.

However, the main civil building in the town of Leon is the castle of the counts of Peñarramiro, which is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest. It was built in the XNUMXth century on the remains of a previous one and responds more to the castle-palace style than to that of a fortress. Built in masonry, its plan is rectangular and the four circular towers on its corners stand out. To these is added the keep, equally circular and topped by the classic slate roof in the area.

Finally, we want to finish our recommendations on what to see in Villafranca del Bierzo in two other places. The first is the Alameda, a beautiful garden with a romantic layout created at the end of the XNUMXth century. Look at the fountain called "La Chata", which was brought from the monastery of Santa María de Carracedo and dates from the XNUMXth century. In addition, the Alameda is the scene of the Poetry Festival, which is organized every year by the town.

As for the second place, it is the precious Plaza Mayor, very spacious and nerve center of the town. Its classic arcades and buildings such as the Town hall and Villafranquino Gil y Carrasco Theater. This is the oldest in the entire province of León as it is dated 1843.

Towns of the council of Villafranca del Bierzo

During our visit to this beautiful town in the province of León, we also want to talk to you about some of the villages that are included in its municipal area. Because some are really pretty and have more than one pleasant surprise in store for you. It is the case of standing dry, where you can see the curious pallozas of the area. As you know, these are circular houses with thatched roofs of pre-Roman origin.

You also have palozas in field of water, as well as hórreos with teito. But perhaps the most spectacular thing about this place is the Berrocales, a granitic set of stones with enormous size and whimsical shapes. For its part, we have already mentioned Villar of Steel to tell you about its chestnut centenary. But, in addition, you can visit its beautiful church of Santa Lucía.

Also, in Teixeira You will appreciate a spectacular landscape of a plain dominated by Peña Rubia, a mountain almost two thousand meters high. And finally, in the lawful You will see an impressive landscape due to the ancient gold mines from Roman times. But you cannot leave Villafranca del Bierzo without savoring its delicious food.

Bierzo Gastronomy

The Bierzo region also stands out for its magnificent gastronomy. Its rich nature gives us exquisite chestnuts, cherries and peppers. It also offers us Pippin class apples y conference pears. But it stands out even more for their wines, which make up a denomination of origin and come from grapes such as Mencía for reds and Godello for whites.

However, the Bierzo product par excellence is the bottle, which even has a regulatory council. It is a sausage that is made with different parts of the pig, paprika, salt and garlic. You can't stop trying it because it's really delicious. But it is not the only one that is prepared in the area. You also have the androlla, which has marinated pork rib, and an exquisite jerky. The peppers that we mentioned are also prepared with lacon. However, more elaborate is the berciano broth, a stew that has white beans, pig's ear, chorizo, pork shoulder, potatoes and turnip tops. Likewise, the botillo is used to cook a dish that combines it with chickpeas, cabbage and potatoes.

As for sweets, the cuisine of El Bierzo also stands out. For example, you have some delicious frixuelos or crepes. but also a wonderful Chestnut cake, although these are also made in syrup. Likewise, you can savor some conference pears to wine, although they also serve to prepare a tasty cake.

In conclusion, we have shown you what you can see and do in Villafranca del Bierzo. But, if you come to this town, we advise you to take the opportunity to visit it as well. Ponferrada, capital of the region. It is the land of the Templars, as evidenced by its majestic castle fortress. But it also has medieval, baroque and neoclassical jewels. Come and discover this beautiful area of Castilla y Leon.