Things to Do in Ponferrada

Itinerary:

In this Free Tour we will visit the historic area of Ponferrada, a city full of mysteries and things to discover. We will know its heart, the most beautiful and oldest part of the city.

The visit begins at the indicated time in the Castle of the Templars , we will meet the Order of the Temple and the reason for this majestic castle. We will continue to discover the heart of the city and the history of very symbolic buildings such as the House of Shields. We will continue until we enter the Plaza de la Encina to continue along the most beautiful street in the city. We will immerse ourselves in the Middle Ages as we walk along its ancient roads to reach the famous Town Hall square where the waffle maker awaits us. We will see the most photographed clock in the city and we will continue to see remains of the old wall until we reach the starting point where we will end the visit.

Advice:

In winter it is advisable to dress warmly since in Ponferrada the temperature can reach negative degrees with frost. In summer it is necessary to wear light and fresh clothing, water and sun protection, because temperatures can reach high values.

If you have other questions, contact us.

Other tours:
Guías Bierzo offers a guided visit to the Castillo de los Templarios and also to other places in El Bierzo. For more information, contact us.

In this Free Tour of the mysteries and Templars of Ponferrada, we will explore the historic city of Ponferrada, but we won't take the typical tour. Instead, we will share the most curious and mysterious facts about our city and even our region. A bunch of legends and anecdotes make it a must-visit.

The tour begins at the indicated time right in front of the Templar Castle, where we will introduce you to some of the protagonists of this story. Ponferrada was born as a place of passage. A key point to safely cross the Sil River and continue the Camino de Santiago. From its origins, the city was linked to pilgrims, hospitality, and the protection of those walking towards Compostela.

In this free tour of Mysteries and Templars, we will walk through Ponferrada following the thread of the Camino, discovering how the city's history was built around travelers, territorial control, and the presence of the Order of the Temple.

Throughout the tour, we will talk about how this enclave was key from ancient times, first for pre-Roman and Roman peoples, and later for medieval pilgrims. The Camino de Santiago transformed Ponferrada into a strategic place where it was essential to protect, welcome, and care for travelers.

With the arrival of the Templars, the city became a fundamental point of the Camino. Their work went far beyond the military: they guaranteed security, controlled the passages, and promoted hospitality. Castles, bridges, and roads make sense when we understand this mission linked to pilgrimage.

During the visit, we will talk about the concept of medieval hospitality, so important on the Camino de Santiago. Did you know that Ponferrada is home to one of the oldest hospitals in Spain that is still in operation, born to attend to pilgrims? A clear example of how the city grew in service to the Camino.

We will also delve into the more symbolic and mysterious side of the Templars. Did you know that the game of the goose could be related to the Camino de Santiago and the knowledge guarded by orders like the Templars? Nothing was placed by chance.

And there's more: did you know that the Templars invented or developed elements that we still use today? During the visit, you will discover what they are and why their legacy goes far beyond castles and battles. Come to the visit and find out.

✨ A visit to walk through history