Villafranca del Bierzo

Villafranca del Bierzo stands where the road to Santiago approaches the narrow valley of the Valcarce and the mountains of Galicia. Pilgrims made the town an important stopping place, and hospitals dedicated to Santiago and San Lázaro served travellers on their journey. In 1486 the Catholic Monarchs created the marquisate of Villafranca for Juana Osorio and Luis Pimentel. The town prospered as the centre of their lordship, acquiring noble houses and religious foundations alongside its older pilgrimage traditions.