Los Barrios (Villar-Salas-Lombillo)

Just six kilometres from the city centre lies one of the most picturesque and charming corners of the municipality of Ponferrada. From the Lombillo viewpoint begins an essential itinerary to discover the rich heritage of Los Barrios, particularly its churches, which encapsulate centuries of art and devotion.

Climbing up from the viewpoint, visitors first glimpse the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (16th century, Renaissance) in Lombillo, a small temple that reflects the sobriety and elegance of Renaissance reform in the Bierzo region.

The Church of San Martín, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, is the emblem of the ensemble. Dating back to the 11th century and clearly Romanesque in origin, it impresses with its beautiful main doorway and magnificent altarpiece. Walking around San Martín is a journey into the area’s medieval past and an opportunity to admire its monumentality.

In Salas, the Chapel of the Visitation (16th century, Renaissance) offers an intimate and luminous space, ideal for enjoying the silence and history that permeate its walls. In Villar, the forms of Bierzo Baroque can be seen in the Hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Veracruz (16th century) and the Church of Santa Columba (18th century), both adorned with altarpieces and sculptures reflecting popular devotion and the artistic wealth of past centuries.

Between one temple and another, visitors will discover the heraldic manor houses still preserved in the three villages, with coats of arms, wooden balconies and carved stone façades that evoke the prosperity of former noble and merchant families.

Today, the ensemble of Los Barrios is one of the most evocative places in Ponferrada: a harmonious blend of religious and civil architecture, panoramic views over the Sil Valley, cobbled streets and a serene atmosphere that invites travellers to explore at a leisurely pace and experience the renowned hospitality of El Bierzo.