Villafranca del Bierzo: Camino de Santiago, Cultural Heritage and Wine

Villafranca del Bierzo combines the route character of the Ruta Jacobea with designated cultural heritage: Calle del Agua forms part of the Ruta Jacobea, while the old town is designated as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural).

Culture and Pilgrimage Route

The Iglesia de Santiago is a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. The Puerta del Perdón is located there; pilgrims who were unable to continue to Santiago de Compostela due to illness received an indulgence there.

The Castillo de los Marqueses de Villafranca was rebuilt in 1515 as the residence of the Marquises of Villafranca del Bierzo. Guided visits offer the opportunity to learn about its history and the notable personalities who lived there.

The Monasterio de la Anunciada houses a Flemish collection of paintings from 1601, known as “Los ermitaños de la Anunciada”. A monastery of the French Cluniac order stood at the present site of the Colegiata de Santa María; 1070 is considered a possible construction year. Within the municipality, Campo del Agua is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the category of an ethnographic ensemble.

Festivals and Events

The Playa Fluvial on the Burbia River serves as the venue for the Festival Internacional de Músicas del Mundo, known as Fiestizaje; the 20th edition took place there in 2025.

During the Festa do Maio, the Maios move through the streets and squares of Villafranca del Bierzo, accompanied by traditional songs. Donations are collected, and a ritual of erecting the Maio is performed.

For the human Maio, a child or young person is dressed in Cañaveira to represent the spirit of spring on this day. The human Maio is considered unique in Castilla y León both in terms of its typology and the language used in the songs, the eastern Galician of Bierzo.

Landscape, Wine and Trails

The municipality of Villafranca del Bierzo, covering an area of 177 km², forms part of the Reserva de la Biosfera de Ancares Leoneses.

In Villafranca del Bierzo and its municipality, wine tastings are available at local wineries, including white, red and rosé wines from the DO Bierzo.

In the municipality of Villafranca del Bierzo, there are opportunities to hike through vineyards and chestnut groves, along trails in a biosphere reserve and to beautiful peaks. The Roman past can also be experienced at the La Leitosa gold mines.

Visits

The Oficina de Turismo of Villafranca del Bierzo offers guided heritage tours for groups from Tuesday to Saturday. They last approximately two hours and require advance booking.

Other places: Sariegos, Sosas de Laciana, El Valle, Onzonilla, Cabrillanes, Val De San Lorenzo, Villacelama and Ventosilla.

Getting There

Villafranca del Bierzo can be reached by car via the AP-6, A-6 and N-VI.

To the main travel overview: León.