Page 118 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

116  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

special charm. It was here, in
the Romanesque Iglesia de
Santiago (1186), that pilgrims
who were too weak to make
the final gruelling hike across
the hills of Galicia to Santiago
de Compostela could obtain
dispensation at the Puerta
del Perdón (Door of Mercy).
Noteworthy too are the
collegiate Iglesia de Santa María,
housed since 1544 in a former
Cluniac monastery, and the
Iglesia de San Francisco on the
Plaza Mayor, founded, according
The picturesque Las Médulas hills in El Bierzo to legend, by St Francis of
Assisi during his pilgrimage to
l El Bierzo viewpoint at Orrelán. Also worth Santiago. The interior features
seeing is the Sierra de Ancares, a beau tiful Mudéjar ceiling. The
León. Road Map C2–D2.
n Ponferrada; 987 42 42 36. a wild region of slate mountains, churches are usually closed, but
∑ turismodelbierzo.es part of which is a nature reserve guided visits can be arranged
– the eastern part of the Reserva through the town’s tourist office.
This northwestern region of Nacional de Os Ancares (see p79). Visitors can also sample
León, cut off from the outside The heathland, dotted with oak the local speciality, cherries
world by beautiful mountains, and birch copses, is home to marinated in aguardiente,
has breathtaking landscapes, wolves and capercaillies. a strong spirit.
pretty villages and picturesque The area around El Bierzo has
lakes. This is an area with its own much to offer architecture
identity – the inhabitants speak enthusiasts. In the eastern part,
a dialect of Gallego, and have a along the old road to Santiago
unique tradition of folklore and de Compostela, are typical
very hearty food. pilgrim churches. Several
Since Roman times, the area isolated hill villages, such as
has also been mined for coal, Campo del Agua, contain
iron and gold. The ore was pre-Roman pallozas (see p61).
extracted from millions of
tonnes of alluvium washed from
the hills of Las Médulas by a z Villafranca del
system of canals and sluice Bierzo
gates. It is estimated that the
Romans extracted more than León. Road Map C2. * 3,400.
500 tonnes of precious metal n C/Díez Ovelar 10; 987 54 00 28.
from the hills between the ( Tue. _ Fiesta del Cristo (14 Sep).
1st and 4th centuries AD.
The impressive landscape, The tiled-roof houses, hilly
colonized by gnarled chestnut surroundings and crystal-clear
trees, is best appreciated from the Burbia river lend this town a
Chorizo Sausage from León
Stained-glass window, Iglesia de Santiago,
León is famous for its chorizo sausage made from pork and bacon Villafranca del Bierzo
flavoured with paprika, salt, garlic and oregano. There are many
variations. The traditional method of making chorizo goes back
to ancient times. After the x Ponferrada
ritual slaughter of animals
during fiestas, any uneaten León. Road Map C2. * 68,500.
meat would be pre served. n Calle Gil y Carrasco 4; 987 42 42 36.
El Bierzo is also known for ( Wed, Sat. _ Virgen de la Encina
botillo – a heavy, coarse (8 Sep). ∑ ponferrada.org/
sausage unique to this ponferrada/cm/turismo
region. Today, the places
best known for delicious Set among hills, this town owes
chorizo are El Bierzo, its name to a medieval bridge
A selection of León’s famous sausages Astorga and La Baneza. reinforced with iron (pons
ferrata). Rising above a deep
For hotels and restaurants see pp204–5 and pp217–19

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