Ponferrada
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| Ponferrada | |||
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| Motto: Interamnium Flavium (Between Rivers) | |||
| Location of Ponferrada in Europe | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous Community | Castilla-León | ||
| Province | León | ||
| Comarca | El Bierzo | ||
| Founded | 11th century | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | J. C. López Riesco (PP) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 283 km² (109.3 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 544 m (1,785 ft) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| - Total | 65,984 | ||
| - Density | 233.15/km² (603.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 244xx | ||
| Area code(s) | 987 | ||
| Website: www.ponferrada.org | |||
Ponferrada (from the Latin Pons Ferrata, Iron Bridge) is a town and municipality located in the province of León, Spain, and the capital of the El Bierzo region. It lies on the river Sil, a tributary of the river Miño. As of January 1, 2005, it had a population of 65,984 (31,934 male and 34,050 female)INE.
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[edit] Economy
During the second half of the 20th century the economy of the town was based on coal mining, but in the 1980s many mines were closed and the economy is now based mainly on tourism, agriculture (fruit and wine), wind power generation and slate mining.
After the disapparance of the mining industry during the 1990s Ponferrada was for a while in crisis, but it then underwent a major development with the establishment of several industrial and services firms, the opening of a local branch of the University of León offering several undergraduate degrees and in general a radical improvement of the town's infrastructure. This has been accompanied by a mild but constant increase of the population.
Important factors contributing to the recent boom of the tourism industry are the increasing popularity of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago ; a pilgrimage route that goes from France to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia), the designation in 1997 of the nearby ancient Roman gold mines of "Las Médulas" as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the development of rural tourism lodging and wineries in the area.
[edit] History
The Roman town was named Interamnium Flavium due to its position at the confluence of the Sil and the Boeza rivers — inter amnes is Latin for "between rivers". The modern name derives from the iron reinforcements added to the ancient bridge over the river Sil (Latin "pons" for bridge and "ferrata" for iron).
Ponferrada has also several attractive medieval churches and municipal buildings, invariably topped with the typical local blue slate.
[edit] Templar Castle
The city is noted for the Castillo de los Templarios, a Templar castle which covers approximately 16,000 square meters. In 1178, Fernando II of Spain donated the city to the Templar order for protecting the pilgrims on the Way of St. James who passed through El Bierzo in their road to Santiago de Compostela.
The Castle hosted the Knights Templar's Great Master of Castille. However, the Templars were only able to enjoy the use of their fortress for about twenty years before the order was disbanded and its properties confiscated in 1311. Several noble houses fought over the assets until Alfonso XI alloted them to the Count of Lemos in 1340. Finally the Catholic Monarchs incorporated Ponferrada and its castle into the Crown in 1486. As with many other historical sites in Europe, many of the blocks that at one point formed the walls of the castle were removed and used in local construction projects. Extensive restoration works are ongoing.
[edit] Tourism
Ponferrada lies in El Bierzo valley, completely surrounded by mountains. Just 20 km. away from Ponferrada you can find "El Morredero" peak, which is 2135 m. high and hosts a small ski resort. Just a few kilometers from the city there are many beautiful places (including "Las Médulas" ancient Roman gold mines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), wineries and typical villages (Molinaseca, San Pedro de Montes, Peñalba, Compludo, etc.) suitable for trekking routes and rural tourism.
Ponferrada hosts its annual festival ("Fiestas de La Encina") during the first week of September with many concerts and activities for adults and especially children, and in July it organizes a very popular "Templar Night" in its Templar Castle (participants dress up and recreate town life during the 14th century). The town is also very popular for the lively nightlife, which easily goes on until the sun is high up in the sky. It's common to start the night in "Las Bodegas" (The Wineries), small bars that serve mainly wine, or in the many bars of the Old Town around "La Calle del Reloj" (Clock Street). After that the night moves to the "Bellas Artes" or "Temple" areas downtown. By four or five in the morning the place to go is "La Gran Manzana" (the Big Apple), which consists of several clubs in the outskirts of Ponferrada. For rock lovers the night ends up nearby at "La Universidad" (The University). "Oxi", a new club in the Puente Boeza area, has been recently inaugurated.
[edit] Personalities
- Enrique Gil y Carrasco (1815-1846) - Writer
- Luis del Olmo (1937-...) - Journalist
[edit] Sports
The town soccer team, SD Ponferradina, has competed most of its history in the 2nd Division B and third Division of the Spanish Football League. In the 2006-07 season, for the first time, it will compete in the 2nd Division, an achievement for this medium sized town.
[edit] Transport
By car:
Ponferrada is well connected by highway with all the major Spanish cities and the rest of Europe, and there is a local branch of Avis downtown for car rentals.
By bus:
The town is connected by bus to many major Spanish and European cities, however connections (especially in Madrid) are required most times. The quality "Supra" line between Madrid or La Coruña and Ponferrada is particularly good, with a shorter travel time and superb in-bus service, but also more expensive. On-line bus tickets to Ponferrada. (ALSA)
By train:
Ponferrada is also connected with the rest of Spain and Europe by train. On-line train tickets to Ponferrada. (Renfe)
By plane:
The nearest international airports are A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Asturias and Valladolid, connecting to a few major European cities. Slightly further away Madrid Barajas serves a vast array of international destinations. León is the closest, but for the time being it serves only national destinations. It's worth to mention that low-cost airlines operate in Santiago de Compostela and Valladolid (Ryanair), and Madrid Barajas and Asturias (EasyJet). All are connected by highway and bus with Ponferrada, but Madrid and La Coruña have the extra advantage of a direct Supra bus service.
León Airport - 100 km (highway) - 1 hour
- La Coruña Airport - 212 km (highway) - 2:10 hours
- Santiago de Compostela Airport - 250 km (highway) - 2:30 hours
- Madrid Barajas Airport - 390 km (highway) - 3:40 hours
- Valladolid Airport - 235 km (highway) - 2:30 hours
- Asturias Airport - 247 km (highway) - 2:30 hours
[edit] External links
- Official Town Website
- Jubilee - Way of St. James
- Las Médulas Foundation
- Denominación de Origen Bierzo, a protected designation of origin for the local wine. (Spanish)
- On-line bus tickets to Ponferrada
- On-line train tickets to Ponferrada
- León Airport
- La Coruña Airport
- Santiago de Compostela Airport
- Madrid Barajas Airport
- Valladolid Airport
- Asturias Airport
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