Ponferrada

From Rengas we drove to Ponferrada . We parked near the bus station and had a very good dinner there before going on to our roadhouse accommodation ('Los Rosales') outside the city.

Next day we went back to the same parking and walked across Ponferrada to the Templars' Castle. This is very impressive and was the aim of our visit. We spent the whole morning here looking round the buildings including the oldest section. Here you can go up the spiral staircase up onto the ramparts. It is unusual in that it is 'left-handed' giving the advantage to left-handed defenders. Also of interest is the library with its Templar exhibition and ancient books.

For lunch we found a very good restaurant Meson Luisi, back over the bridge from the castle and left at the roundabout. One of the best meals of our travels this year. Then we walked back across Ponferrada keeping in the shade as it had turned very hot. We just made it back into 'Los Rosales' as heavy rain started!

The castle is built above the river, which forms part of its defences

Castle entrance

Castle walls

Inside the walls

Ammunition

Steps to the water gate

View from the highest part of the castle

The unusual left-handed spiral staircase

The oldest remaining part of the castle

Reconstructed C15th area with the library in the lower section