The changing of the guard returns medieval life to Ponferrada
Pilgrims who travel the French Way and arrive at Ponferrada now have one more reason to stop and enjoy one of the most emblematic monuments of the Jacobean route. He Templar Castle has recovered the traditional changing of the guard, a historical recreation that allows us to relive the splendor of the Middle Ages and remember the fundamental role that the Order of the Temple played in the protection of pilgrims.
The initiative offers visitors and walkers the opportunity to contemplate a ceremonial inspired by medieval times, with Templar knights, banners, weapons and historical clothing that take the public back several centuries.
The origin of the Templar Castle
The history of the castle is closely linked to the Camino de Santiago. In the 12th century, King Ferdinand II of León gave the fortress to the Order of the Temple to protect one of the most important passes of the French Way.
Thousands of pilgrims then crossed El Bierzo on their way to Santiago de Compostela and needed security against the dangers that existed on medieval roads. The Knights Templar guarded the bridge over the River Sil, guarded the entrances and offered protection to those undertaking the pilgrimage.
Thanks to them, Ponferrada became one of the most important strategic enclaves of the Camino de Santiago.
A unique fortress on the French Way
The Templar Castle is today one of the most visited monuments on the Camino de Santiago. Its walls, defensive towers, patios and rooms preserve a good part of the medieval military architecture and allow us to understand how the knights who protected the Jacobean route lived.
From its battlements you can see magnificent views of Ponferrada and the Bercian valley, making it a highly recommended stop for any pilgrim who has a few hours to get to know the city.
Much more than a tourist visit
The changing of the guard not only provides a tourist attraction, but also helps to disseminate the history of the Camino de Santiago and the Order of the Temple among pilgrims from all over the world.
Seeing the Knights Templar parade in front of the walls allows you to imagine what life was like more than eight hundred years ago, when thousands of walkers walked these same streets seeking to reach the tomb of the Apostle Santiago.
It is an experience that combines history, heritage, culture and tradition, further enriching one of the most important stages of the French Way.
A stop on the Camino that is worth it
Many pilgrims cross Ponferrada with the intention of continuing quickly towards Villafranca del Bierzo. However, spending a visit to the Templar Castle allows you to discover one of the most emblematic places of the entire Jacobean pilgrimage.
The fortress continues to be, centuries later, the great guardian of the Camino de Santiago and a symbol of the Templar legacy that still remains alive in the heart of El Bierzo.
