History
Villafranca was born in the 11th century as a «villa de francos», a town of Franks: pilgrims and merchants of French origin who settled beside a monastery of the Order of Cluny, Santa María de Cluniaco, founded with the support of Alfonso VI to look after pilgrims. The monks are also credited with spreading the vine in the district.
In the 15th century the town became the head of the marquisate of Villafranca, one of the great lordships of the northwest, and filled its streets with churches, convents and palaces. In 1822 it was even the capital of a short-lived province of El Bierzo.
What to See in Villafranca del Bierzo?
Heritage
Church of Santiago Apóstol
The 12th-century Romanesque Church of Santiago Apóstol stands at the entrance to the town. Its Puerta del Perdón, the Door of Pardon, allowed sick pilgrims who could not go on to gain the jubilee without reaching the Cathedral of Santiago in Santiago de Compostela, a privilege that opens in Holy Years. That is why Villafranca is called «the little Compostela».
Collegiate Church of Santa María
The collegiate church was built from the 16th century on the site of the old Cluniac monastery. It is a huge church, late Gothic and Renaissance, that was never entirely finished.
Castle of the Marquises of Villafranca
The castle-palace of the marquises, from the late 15th and early 16th centuries, has a square plan with round towers at the corners. It is privately owned and cannot be visited inside, but it dominates the entrance to the town.
Calle del Agua
Calle del Agua, along which the Camino runs, is the most aristocratic street in Villafranca: houses with coats of arms and palaces such as that of Torquemada. The writer Enrique Gil y Carrasco was born on it. Nearby are the church of San Francisco, with a Mudéjar coffered ceiling, and the former Jesuit college of San Nicolás el Real.
Festivities and culture
The most important festivities are Holy Week and those of the Santo Cristo, in September. On 25 July, the feast of Santiago Apóstol, the church of Santiago is the centre of the celebration.
The surroundings
Villafranca lies where the Burbia and Valcarce rivers meet, surrounded by mountains and vineyards. The Ancares are nearby and, a little further, Las Médulas.
Food
It is a good place to try botillo, roasted peppers and Bierzo chestnuts, with mencía wines from the D.O. Bierzo.
In short
Villafranca del Bierzo is one of the most beautiful towns on the Camino Frances and the last big stop before climbing to O Cebreiro. On leaving, the pilgrim chooses between following the Valcarce valley or climbing by the Pradela or Dragonte variants.
| Country | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Community | Castilla y León | |
| Province | Province of León | |
| Comarca | El Bierzo | |
| Judicial District | Ponferrada | |
| Mancomunidad | Bajo Bierzo Valle del Burbia | |
| Location | 42°36′22″N 6°48′38″W | |
| Elevation | 499 m | |
| Area | 177.37 km² | |
| Settlements | Campo del Agua, Cela, Landoiro, Paradaseca, Paradiña, Pobladura de Somoza, Porcarizas, Prado de Paradiñas, Puente de Rey, Tejeira, Valtuille de Abajo, Valtuille de Arriba, Veguellina, Vilela, Villafranca del Bierzo y Villar de Acero | |
| Population | 2,694 inhab. (2023) | |
| Density | 17.22 inhab./km² | |
| Demonym | villafranquino, villafranquina | |
| Postal code | 24500 | |
| Dialling code | 987 | |
| Website | www.villafrancadelbierzo.org | |