Every Picture Has a Story: Castillo Gate

Castillo Gate

Castillo de los Templarios - Ponferrada, Spain

This image has been my most popular one so far. It has been printed on canvas, metallic paper, pro paper, and acrylic. The canvas print evokes more of the subtle color variations than the other media. It was literally a show-stopper at my last art show as I saw people stop in their tracks when they saw it displayed in the light.

During my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in 2018, I stopped at Ponferrada for “second breakfast” before continuing on to my next accommodation. I decided to sacrifice two hours of cooler walking time by touring the Castillo, and I’m so grateful now that I did! I began my tour by walking around a corner to see this gate, and I snapped the photo. I didn’t see everything captured in the image until I returned home and opened it on my computer.

I love the interplay of light and shadow in the image. I love the pops of green in the little plants peeping up through the stone steps. I’m drawn into the image, seeing through the gate, and wondering where the next opening would lead me.

Originally named, “Castillo de los Templarios [Castle of the Templars],” I shortened the name of the image to make it more accessible for people who do not speak Spanish. The castle is located in Ponferrada, Spain, and construction began on it in the 1100’s. It housed the Knights Templar, who, in addition to fighting the Crusades, served as guardians for the pilgrims walking the Camino in the middle ages. The castle was built in phases, and much remains intact to this day. It is integrated into the National Network of Castles and Palaces of Spain, and serves as a historical site and museum.  When I visited there, it housed a visiting exhibition of Bibles through the centuries, including illuminated manuscripts from the 1400’s. The oldest Bible I saw was from the 600’s! You can learn more at the website:  https://castillodelostemplarios.com/.