Illafranca Del Ierzo

Villafranca of Plenary Indulgences “Pilgrim, walker or traveler, only your staff will show you the way. You will find shelter along all roads, but the guide and the Apostle are within you.” ILLAFRANCA Anonymous, 13th century VDEL IERZO B T he present-day traveler will find a rather surprising, yet not And Its Parador entirely new, claim: “El Bierzo, province of Leon,” an ancient, but not forgotten, assertion. The claim dates from the times of absolutism, and the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823). By decision of the legislative assembly, Villafranca was named the capital of the province of El Bierzo. This position was only transitory, as shortly afterwards, with the restoration of Fernando VI, the waters of provincial divisions were once again brought to flow along their previous beds. They continue to flow along the same routes today, the eternal privilege and bane of these valleys. For El Bierzo has almost always been a land for all, yet no man’s land. In any case, the region is much coveted. It is rather hidden away due to its geography, and to the will of its inhabitants. However, these people still strive to be as open as the Castilians and as hospitable as the Galicians, with success. The inhabitants are resolutely set on, or perhaps condemned to, being a large exception. These bountiful valleys are encircled and embraced on all sides by mountains: the “Piedrafitas” of ancient Celtic traditions and the hazardous “Ponferradas” of coal mines sunken to devilish depths. The steep “Corullones” are vigilant witnesses to strong artistic and craft traditions, as well as miners of the coveted and bellicose wolfram. In post- war Spain, the unique strength and virtues of this mineral were sought after for use in building Nazi tanks and canons during the Second World War. Thus it seems that the Romans were not so crazy when the exceptional climate and extraordinary mineral wealth of these lands led them to invest so much effort and so many legionaries. Las Medulas, the most important gold mines in the Roman empire, are today an awe-inspiring phantasmagorical landscape. It is still possible to see how the gold was extracted: numerous galleries were drilled into the mountains, allowing torrents of water collected on the top to flow through. Below, the avalanche of stones, clay and gold was filtered through a framework of heather branches. It is said that for three centuries many thousands of free men, slaves and legionaries worked to obtain the gold, 230,000 kilos according to some, 1,000,000 according to others. This gold would be the most prized financial fuel of the empire. From the end of the 11th century, the region began to see great activity in other than economic spheres. The efforts and grace of Bishop Osmundo of Astorga brought about the building of a reinforced iron bridge to open up the road for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. About a century later, the Knights Templar would establish themselves here, with Fernando II donating the town to these armed knights. The castle VILLAFRANCA AND ITS PARADOR 1 still rises today as they left it, and annals of history, art and various would be the last Templar redoubt cultures. in Spain. From the lands of La Margatería (in the Astorga area), the pilgrimage With the passing of the years, route heads into the mountains, and the decrease of fervent climbing through Foncebadón to pilgrims, Ponferrada gradually reach Ponferrada, a safe refuge and exchanged its devout nature for resting place for pilgrims to get their more prosaic activities, becoming strength back and cure the wounds the powerful nucleus for trade and of body and soul. commerce in El Bierzo. Little by little, the Templar city would It was also the place to get become the site for fairs and supplies: maps of the route showing markets, a mining center and a places for medical attention, food focal point for industry and and shoes, and even bridges with industrialization. rivers of drinkable water. Another town, known in Roman times as This is not to say that religion did not remain important. Miracles still Villa-Franca, provided a last opportunity before undertaking the difficult were known to take place, such as the one that occurred in the 16th mountain paths that would lead to the lands of Lugo, over the fearsome century in the outskirts of town “in connection with the theft of a peaks of the Piedrafita Mountains. valuable monstrance which the fearful criminal then hid amongst the brambles. Afterwards, hunters were not able to shoot down any of the It is estimated that at the height of the pilgrimage fever, each year numerous doves which fluttered around Then one fine day a pious miller between 200,000 and 500,000 pilgrims would pass through these sacred discovered the sacred receptacle. The sacrilegious thief having been and remote locations. Pilgrims were attracted by the sublime warmth of found and his hands cut off, he was then executed and dragged through the road, although not all were guided by the light of the Apostle. It was the town. The miracle was celebrated with processions and masses said something like a heterogeneous procession of real saints, sinner-saints, by the Bishop of Astorga.” dealers in relics, mountebanks of all kinds, and adventurers. However, one and all left behind ways and customs, arts and handicrafts, a sage mixture It is well known that it was the Route of Saint James which did the of cultures which are still extremely easy to observe. most and best to bring the region of El Bierzo, among others, into the Breathe Deep in the Heart of El Bierzo O ne of the most marvelous things for a visitor to do is to greet the coming from France, and who sought to continue. It would soon be a dawn in the southern part of town, close to the road, at the charitable and almost obligatory stopping place for rest and recuperation castle, the first palace of the Marquises of Villafranca. It is still not for the ailing and devout pilgrim. unusual to hear the notes of the world-famous music which the Halfters composed from some of its partially restored towers. That early settlement was soon illuminated by the light and splendor of the Apostle. With the category and prebends of an “Estate,” it passed Those pilgrims who managed to through the hands of noble and feudal reach this point –perhaps ill or families: the La Cerdas, counts of wounded– were able to receive the Medinaceli, around the 14th century; same indulgence as they would have the Enriquez family, dukes of been given before the tomb of the Benavente, around the same time; the Apostle himself in Santiago de Counts of Trastamara, at the Compostela. The excellent Romanesque beginning of the 15th century; the Door of Pardon is still standing. Castro Osorios, counts of Lemos; and until only recently, the Álvarez de The city was born and christened at Toledo family. These would be the first the beginning of the 11th century, and perhaps definitive splendors of the sponsored by French monks of the illustrious town. order of Cluny. They chose these secluded valleys because they stood out as a “place of fantasy,” fertilized Together with the immortal indulgencies, these streets were invaded by by the generous Valcarce and Burbia Rivers. Between the two, they a multitude of merchants, servants, and speculators of varying morals. erected their favorite monastery with the holy and generous vocation of Convents and monasteries, churches and palaces were constructed in some attending to the “many grave” needs of the bodies and souls of pilgrims hurry, but with excellent results. The population increased rapidly. During 2 VILLAFRANCA AND ITS PARADOR the 17th and 18th centuries, Villafranca would be the model and envy of with shoemakers, weavers, carpenters, and blacksmiths. the most far-off lands because of its political and economic power, and above all, for its artistic and cultural riches and religious powers. Today Agua Street, along which the pilgrimage route still passes, offers distinguished houses –including those of the poet and novelist Gil Carrasco In the mid-18th century the townspeople were tended by some 40 and the Álvarez de Toledo family– and palaces, such as that of clergymen, including the abbot and canons of the collegiate church, and Torquemada. around 100 monks and nuns from different congregations. It may be enough to recall that in the mid-19th century, the town already had a To one side is Corullón, an exceptional viewpoint over the valleys of Latin school, a public school and four private educational centers. El Bierzo, refuge of monks and hermits, castle and hiding place of Romanesque jewels which the traveler should be sure not to miss. The Church of Santiago presides over this miraculous and miracle- working town from on high. The temple and shrine make up a sacred Further on along the pilgrimage route, Pereje, Trabadelo, and place of humble magnitude, but inestimable riches. Some are religious, Ambasmestas lead up to Piedrafita Pass in the heart of the Ancares others lie in unforgettable traditions. The entire modest area is an Mountains, another good stopping place for the pilgrim. From then on the invaluable jewel of Romanesque handiwork. road to the saint’s sepulcher traverses the lands of Galicia, amongst ancient Celtic dwellings. The church was erected at the beginning of the 12th century, with the arrival of the first caravans of pilgrims. It boasts a simple, yet exceptional, This is a land of local and foreign cultures, crossed by neighboring semicircular exterior apse, with three windows letting just the right invaders century upon century.

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