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Peñafiel, bird's eye view

In the eastern province of Valladolid, where the affluent beyond Duratón pays tribute to father Duero, are the lands of Peñafiel Castilla border for centuries, as shown, must visit the imposing silhouette of the castle, as silent guardian of its history, stands atop the hill overlooking the village.

This could start pompous chronicles the use of any guide describing the beauties and monuments of this Castilian city, but we less enlightened travelers, we are content with simple prose more about what we have seen for a brief visit of just a few hours, this villa.

Peñafiel is a large village of 6,000 inhabitants, which is animated, maybe more than usual, this summer working day which also has a busy market place. The first thing that attracts the visitor's view is his castle immediately and then visit wineries, famous as a Protos, extended by the British architect Sir Richard Rogers, other ground located at the foot of the castle, testimony when private planters kept the wine at a constant temperature before the creation of the modern wineries and cooperatives. A place where their slogan is " Peñafiel, land of wine," must be, by force, a rich people, where everyone, some more than others, of course, benefit from the euro culture and produce good wine de la Ribera del Duero.

Fulfilled our "obligations" to buy some bottles and some muffins, we start the ascent to the castle which presides over the town topical image. This is perfectly restored and houses within it, of course, a museum Wine.

After paying the entrance fee, € 6, a tad expensive, I think, that allows the tour to the castle and museum, we are at the disposal of the friendly guide tells the group of visitors, not very large The history of the fort, which I summarize below.

Peñafiel Castle, one of the most beautiful medieval fortifications, dating back originally X century, being important piece to the defense of the town after its conquest by the Castilian Count Sancho Garcia in 1013. Later it was rebuilt by Prince Don Juan Manuel, who was the nephew of Alfonso X the Wise and grandson of San Fernando, character in the history of Peñafiel goals in their historical and artistic. The castle's current appearance dates from the second half of the fifteenth century when they were lords of the Téllez Girón Peñafiel stone shield which abounds in the Tower of Homage.

not because the phone tells the story of the Téllez Girón comes to my mind the image of that terrible Falangist cojitranco of mustache, José Antonio Girón de Velasco, the "Lion of Fuengirola, and some I remember reading verses alluding to his name: " Before God was God / and rocks, rocks / the Pigs were Girón / And Velasco, Velasco . "

On with the castle. This has, I note, over 200 meters long and 20 wide and half an impressive keep. Seen from the outside gives the viewer a wide picture which resemble the crenellated walls frame a large stone ship anchored by a twist of fate in the midst of the English land on a horizon of pine forests and vineyards. It is built with stone from Campaspero and historic monument since 1917.

From the viewpoint of the south patio enjoying the scenery of the town, closer, churches, Plaza del Coso, the Clock Tower .... Then, going and down stone steps, we plant a vaulted the keep, and ascending a spiral staircase we reach the square with booths brocket embattled corners. From there it provides a superb panorama Peñafiel Field and nearby towns. Tower rises to a height of 34 meters and happens to be the highest point of the province.

The north patio, which we visited later, now empty, had to hold the stores and the well preserved and still is the best give an idea of \u200b\u200bhow life must have been a warrior castle. However, in the southern courtyard is "embedded" a module containing the Wine Museum, managed by the Provincial Council of Valladolid which may be of interest for fans to understand the processes of winemaking and designations of origin of the zone, but leaves the rest of us "or fu or fa. "

Down to the village we stop at the square Plaza del Coso, original home run inside which there is installed an arena where bullfights are held during the festival of Our Lady and San Roque (31 July to 18 August), with a bull (or rather bull) into the ring and one outside, as I explained. The characteristic of this place whose traditional name is corrosive to the Toros is the wood decor of the facades, is called "valances" and that owners are forced to rent their balconies for attending the shows, which goes by the name of right or easement view balcony.

Peñafiel is a good number of churches that I am content to see only from outside. I called attention to the Gothic-Mudejar church and convent of San Pablo where lie the remains of the Infante Don Juan Manuel, author of "Book of Patronio or Lucanor Conde, " highly acclaimed work, which I acknowledge you have read since much. In another church, Santa Maria, is housed a Museum of Sacred Art, which can only visit on weekends. You must have an interesting altarpiece is restored, according to the appropriate poster.

To end the short trip is nothing better than a meal in the good restaurants in town specializing in roast lamb in a wood oven and sprinkled with a fine wine from the Ribera del Duero, Cigales or Rueda, to individual taste.

© Manuel Martínez Bargueño
August, 2010 (last actualiación, October 2010)

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Thanks. Manuelblas.