Compludo

Very close to Ponferrada, among mountains, streams and paths full of history, lies Compludo, a small village in El Bierzo that preserves the peaceful charm of traditional rural life. Getting there is already part of the experience: from Ponferrada, the route heads towards Molinaseca and continues along the road to Astorga, following the surroundings of the Way of St James. After crossing Riego de Ambrós and before reaching El Acebo, a turn-off leads visitors to this unique spot, surrounded by nature and silence.

One of its great treasures is the Compludo Forge, declared a National Monument in 1968 and beautifully restored. It stands before reaching the village, in a landscape of great beauty, beside the meeting point of the Miera and Miruelos streams. To reach it, visitors follow a pleasant signposted path that runs alongside the river, through vegetation, water and stone, creating the perfect atmosphere to discover one of the most special places in the region.

The Forge offers a journey into the past and a close look at an activity that was essential to the history of El Bierzo: ironworking. Inside, the hammer mechanism powered by a waterwheel is preserved, along with the forge and its Catalan trompe, an ingenious system that injects air using the Venturi principle. It is also the only forge in the region that remains in working order, turning the visit into a living experience that shows how traditional iron production operated in medieval times.

Compludo also invites visitors to stroll calmly through its surroundings and discover its parish church, built in the 16th century with a Latin-cross floor plan. Inside, a Purist-style altarpiece dating from 1533 stands out as an artistic jewel that completes the visit to this small village full of history.

Nature, heritage and tradition come together in Compludo to offer a different kind of getaway, ideal for those wishing to discover authentic places near Ponferrada. A peaceful destination full of memory, where the sound of water and the strike of iron still recall the ancient trades that once gave life to these mountains.