Peñafiel is a town in the Valladolid Province and the greater autonomous community of Castile and León , Spain. It is best known for the Peñafiel Castle and for its medieval square used for bullfights and named " Plaza del Coso " (English: "Bullring 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 (see easement ), which auctions them to the highest bidders.
6-582: Peñafiel Castle is located in Peñafiel , Valladolid Province , Spain. The castle is more than 200 metres (660 ft) long and encloses an area about 35 m (115 ft) wide. Standing in the middle is a 34 m (112 ft) high three storey keep. Fernan Gonzalez began construction on the Peñafiel site in 947, as a frontier outpost in defense against the Arabs. A castle was built in 1013 by Sancho Garcia to protect
12-563: 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
18-401: Is full of deep excavated caveswhich 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 5,434. Peñafiel was
24-610: The castle, but above the town, many of wine caves were built. The mountain contains tens of such caves, some of which are as large as 200 metres (660 ft). Many wineries are located near Peñafiel: the town is at the heart of the Wine Region of Ribera del Duero . Guided winery visits in La Ribera del Duero are a growing tourist activity. Peñafiel is twinned with: 41°36′N 4°07′W / 41.600°N 4.117°W / 41.600; -4.117 This article about
30-663: The land. Several other members of the Spanish nobility added to the castle including Juan Manuel and Pedro Girón . Blanche I, Queen of Navarre gave birth to the Charles, Prince of Viana in the keep of Peñafiel in 1421. 41°35′48″N 4°06′52″W / 41.5967°N 4.11431°W / 41.5967; -4.11431 This article about a castle in Spain is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Pe%C3%B1afiel, Spain The town
36-592: 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 as protection through the years, as the Castle at its top attests. The castle 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
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