Built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century, the walls of the fortress-monastery Castillo Templario rise high over Río Sil, and the square, crenellated towers ooze romance and history. The castle has a lonely and impregnable air – a striking landmark in Ponferrada’s otherwise bleak urban landscape. It houses the Templars' Library, some 1400 books.
© lkonya/Getty Images/iStock
Castillo Templario
Castilla y León
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
10.37 MILES
The ancient Roman goldmines at Las Médulas, about 20km southwest of Ponferrada, once served as the main source of gold for the entire Roman Empire – the…
28.37 MILES
Proof that Astorga does not exist solely for the virtuous souls of the Camino comes in the form of this quirky private museum. Chocolate ruled Astorga's…
28.1 MILES
Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí left his mark on Astorga in the fairy-tale turrets and frilly facade of this palacio. Built in the 19th century, it now…
28.05 MILES
The cathedral’s striking plateresque southern facade is created from caramel-coloured sandstone with elaborate sculptural detail. Work began in 1471 and…
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina
0.12 MILES
The Gothic-Renaissance Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina, up the hill past the tourist office, is very impressive – especially its 17th-century,…
28.32 MILES
Housed in the Roman ergástula (slave prison), the Museo Romano has a modest selection of artefacts and an enjoyable big-screen slide show on Roman Astorga.
28.35 MILES
Remnants of a villa that once belonged to a wealthy Roman family survive under glass just down the hill from the Plaza de San Bartolomé. The highlight is…
28.03 MILES
Astorga's Museo Catedralicio, attached to the cathedral, features the usual religious art, documents and artefacts.
Nearby Castilla y León attractions
1. Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina
0.12 MILES
The Gothic-Renaissance Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Encina, up the hill past the tourist office, is very impressive – especially its 17th-century,…
10.37 MILES
The ancient Roman goldmines at Las Médulas, about 20km southwest of Ponferrada, once served as the main source of gold for the entire Roman Empire – the…
28.03 MILES
Astorga's Museo Catedralicio, attached to the cathedral, features the usual religious art, documents and artefacts.
28.05 MILES
The cathedral’s striking plateresque southern facade is created from caramel-coloured sandstone with elaborate sculptural detail. Work began in 1471 and…
28.1 MILES
Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí left his mark on Astorga in the fairy-tale turrets and frilly facade of this palacio. Built in the 19th century, it now…
28.32 MILES
Housed in the Roman ergástula (slave prison), the Museo Romano has a modest selection of artefacts and an enjoyable big-screen slide show on Roman Astorga.
28.33 MILES
Astorga's former Roman Forum once occupied one of the highest points of the Roman city. It now consists of low-lying ruins a block from Plaza de España.
28.35 MILES
Remnants of a villa that once belonged to a wealthy Roman family survive under glass just down the hill from the Plaza de San Bartolomé. The highlight is…