One of the most distinctive regions through which the pilgrim passes on the Camino Frances is that of El Bierzo. Located at the gates of Galicia, between mountains and valleys, the bierzo It is a region with its own identity that deserves special attention. We are going to describe some of its wonders here, so that pilgrims can pay special attention to them on their next Camino and stop for a few minutes (or even hours) to savor what a unique region can offer them.
Ambrós Irrigation
Riego de Ambrós is an obligatory step for pilgrims on their journey to Compostela. A royal place, it had a pilgrims' hospital, which disappeared in the XNUMXth century due to a fire, and which responded to the name of San Juan de Irago. Excellent samples of popular architecture, the parish church of San María Magdalena with its baroque main altarpiece and its magnificent tabernacle, the fountains of San Sebastián, Santa María Magdalena and that of the Plaza and in the vicinity the Malpaso Bridges, derivation of the Camino de Santiago a Los Barrios, invite you to discover this small town belonging to the municipality of Molinaseca.
Church of Santa Maria de Vizbayo
The church of Santa María de Vizbayo, probably the oldest Romanesque temple in the El Bierzo region, is located in the small town of Otero and located on the slopes of Monte Pajariel. Built at the end of the XNUMXth century, its reduced horseshoe arches and the singular front window are its most peculiar characteristics.
Ponferrada
The capital of the region is the largest city that we will find on the Camino until reaching Santiago, and it has an infinite number of attractions to visit. The most prominent, obviously, is the famous templar castle from the XNUMXth century, but we must also highlight the Light Factory, a technological museum installed in an old power plant.
Another of the most important symbols of the region is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Oak, with an image of the Virgin brought (according to legend) by Santo Toribio from the Holy Land
The neighborhoods (Ponferrada)
The district of Lombillo, belonging to the municipality of Ponferrada, forms together with Las Salas and Villar the area known as Los Barrios. Declared, like the other districts, an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of Historic Site, Lombillo preserves in its urban area beautiful examples of popular architecture from Bercian and magnificent samples of emblazoned houses. Tourist offer that is completed with the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación and one of the best and most beautiful viewpoints in the region and from where you can admire a wide panoramic view that goes from Ponferrada, passing through the Aquilanos, Salas and Villar mountains or the beautiful Church of San Martín de Salas.
Cacabelos
When the pilgrim leaves the town of Cacabelos, he finds the Sanctuary of Las Angustias, a temple built in the XNUMXth century in the same place where a hermitage dedicated to the Virgin Mary was located in the past. In the dressing room we can admire the image of the Virgen de la Quinta Angustia and among its seven altarpieces, the largest stands out, the work of Miguel Núñez and Juan de Solorzano. Interesting pieces that are completed with a painting of the Virgen de la Leche, the relief of the Child Jesus exchanging letters with Saint Anthony of Padua and the organ, from the Monastery of Santa María de Carracedeo.
Romanesque church of San Miguel in Corullón
The Romanesque church of San Miguel in Corullón was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931. A Romanesque temple built in the XNUMXth century, its corbel decoration is noteworthy, proliferating various characters, obscene situations and real and fantastic animals, the southern wall door with archivolt on tall columns and blind arches on columns.
Villafranca del Bierzo
One of the most outstanding towns in the region, Villafranca is known above all to pilgrims for the church of Santiago, where the Door of Forgiveness, which is only open in Jacobean years. Pope Calixto III granted sick or handicapped pilgrims the privilege of gaining the same indulgences by arriving at this gate as if they had arrived in Santiago.
In addition, we can also visit the Collegiate Church of Santa María de Cluniaco, built on land occupied in the past by the black monks of the French order of Cluny, as well as the San Francisco church, with its Mudejar coffered ceiling, and take a walk through the Weavers' Quarter, with its unmistakable wooden galleries.
Gastronomy
We cannot finish this text without talking about the gastronomy of El Bierzo. With two denominations of origin: DO Bierzo and Manzana Reineta, three Guarantee Brands: Conference Pear, Chestnut and Cherry and two IGP: Roasted Pepper from El Bierzo and Botillo, this region offers visitors a huge variety of delicious products that satisfy the most demanding palates. demanding.
Photos courtesy of Cardinal Communication.
