Inside Castle in Ponferrada?

[Esther Jantzen]

Has anyone been inside the Templar castle in Ponferrada? I'm wondering what it's like. Could a child get lost in it for awhile?

 

[Deirdre]

Hi Esther,
I've been in it. It's not as complete as the Templar Castle in Peñiscola near Valencia, but it is a wonder, nonetheless. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting it and do think it is worthwhile. You can climb the ramparts, wander around inside and, as it is still under restoration, I'm sure there is more to see every year.

They have a nice sello for your credencial as well. I would definitely recommend stopping for a visit especially if it is the only castle you have seen.

Buen Camino,

 

[sillydoll]

We wandered about inside but away from the walls it was mainly grassy hillocks and ruins - no major rooms or anything like that. It is HUGE - it developed from a small settlement with a fence in the 12thC and was fortified by the Templars in the 13thC,

Reading from the brochure:

"After it was confiscated from the Templar Order in the 14thC its new lord built a castle at one end (Old Castle). During the 15th C it belonged to the Duke of Arojona ... who carried out great works, converting the primitive Templar enclosure into a strong and luxurious palace called the New Castle. The Catholic monarchs took the castle in 1483 when the next Count of Lemos rebelled against the Catholic church."

Plans shows that there was a mine, towers, a great hall, a well, upper and lower dining halls, granaries, cellars, armoury, many buildings, thatched huts and pathways within the walls.

 

[Esther Jantzen]

Thanks again, Sil, for this info. I was wondering about this because I want to write about it in my children's book, and I want to be accurate. It looks like I'm just going to have to make another trip to get it right. What a good excuse.

Have a lovely weekend!
Esther