Peñafiel
Encyclopedia
Peñafiel is a town in Valladolid Province, autonomous community of Castile and León
, Spain
, best known for the Peñafiel Castle
and for its medieval square used for bullfights and named "Plaza del Coso
" (English: "El Coso Square"). The square is surrounded by private homes, but since medieval times the rights to use their windows, balconies and doorways during bullfights are owned by the town, which auctions them to the highest bidders.
The town is full of deep excavated underground caves which were traditionally used to store the wine because of the constant temperature they kept all year around. These caves have chimney vents for ventilation and to evacuate the gases generated by the fermentation of the wine. These chimney vents dot the landscape in and around the town and the castle.
In 2006 Peñafiel had a population of about 5,500.
Peñafiel was a very important centre in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the fact that it had up to 19 churches.
The town witnessed a clear expansion when the Spanish Rail System
reached it, and this also profited the surrounding region. Rail facilitated distribution of goods, of which wheat was the most important. Three factories were established dedicated to the production of flour. This expansion did not, however, serve to develop animal husbandry in the region.
The name of Peñafiel derives from the Latin Pinna Fidelis (the loyal Rock or Mountain). The name is not casual: the "Peña" served for protection through the years, as the Castle at its top attests. The castle's can be seen from kilometers away, and it is a typical postcard of the town. The castle now hosts the Wine Museum of Valladolid, and offers an impressive view of the town and the surrounding region. Below the castle, but above the town, many of wine cave
s were built. The mountain contains tens of such caves, some of which are as large as 200 metres (656.2 ft). Peñafiel, its castle and its beautiful Plaza del Coso are worth a visit. Many wineries are located near Peñafiel: the town is at the heart of the Wine Region
of Ribera del Duero
. Winery guided visits in La Ribera del Duero are a growing tourist activity.
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, best known for the Peñafiel Castle
Peñafiel Castle
Peñafiel Castle is located in Valladolid Province, Spain.- See also :* Peñafiel, Spain...
and for its medieval square used for bullfights and named "Plaza del Coso
Plaza del Coso
The Plaza del Coso is an urban plaza in the locality of Peñafiel,in Valladolid Province, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain....
" (English: "El Coso Square"). The square is surrounded by private homes, but since medieval times the rights to use their windows, balconies and doorways during bullfights are owned by the town, which auctions them to the highest bidders.
The town is full of deep excavated underground caves which were traditionally used to store the wine because of the constant temperature they kept all year around. These caves have chimney vents for ventilation and to evacuate the gases generated by the fermentation of the wine. These chimney vents dot the landscape in and around the town and the castle.
In 2006 Peñafiel had a population of about 5,500.
Peñafiel was a very important centre in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the fact that it had up to 19 churches.
The town witnessed a clear expansion when the Spanish Rail System
RENFE
Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National...
reached it, and this also profited the surrounding region. Rail facilitated distribution of goods, of which wheat was the most important. Three factories were established dedicated to the production of flour. This expansion did not, however, serve to develop animal husbandry in the region.
The name of Peñafiel derives from the Latin Pinna Fidelis (the loyal Rock or Mountain). The name is not casual: the "Peña" served for protection through the years, as the Castle at its top attests. The castle's can be seen from kilometers away, and it is a typical postcard of the town. The castle now hosts the Wine Museum of Valladolid, and offers an impressive view of the town and the surrounding region. Below the castle, but above the town, many of wine cave
Wine cave
Wine caves are subterranean structures for the storage and aging of wine. They are an integral component of the wine industry world wide. The design and construction of wine caves represents a unique application of underground construction techniques....
s were built. The mountain contains tens of such caves, some of which are as large as 200 metres (656.2 ft). Peñafiel, its castle and its beautiful Plaza del Coso are worth a visit. Many wineries are located near Peñafiel: the town is at the heart of the Wine Region
Denominación de Origen
Denominación de Origen is part of a regulatory classification system primarily for Spanish wines but also for other foodstuffs like honey, meats and condiments. In wines it parallels the hierarchical system of France and Italy although Rioja and Sherry preceded the full system...
of Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is a Spanish Denominación de Origen located in the country's northern plateau and is one of eleven 'quality wine' regions within the autonomous community of Castile and León...
. Winery guided visits in La Ribera del Duero are a growing tourist activity.