Peñafiel, origin of the Ribera del Duero... and much more

182 kilometers from Madrid is one of the most charming medieval towns in Spain, a town fortunate for the water of two rivers: Duero and Duratón.

It is the ideal place to visit on a long weekend, and repeat since you will surely want to return.

It is always advisable to visit its tourist website https://www.turismopenafiel.es/ to see all the cultural, hiking, gastronomic and wine tourism options it offers. This website details the location and telephone number of the Tourist Office where the different tickets and schedules are purchased.

The essential things not to miss in Peñafiel:

• Peñafiel Castle, whose origin dates back to the 10th century plus all its evolution. It is home to the Valladolid Provincial Wine Museum.
• Plaza del Coso, declared of Cultural Interest in 1999. Inside it you enter the medieval atmosphere of the town.
• Ribera House Museum, this is a must-see. A spectacular theatrical representation of the life and customs of the people of Peñafiel at the beginning of the 20th century. Greetings to "Mariano and Tomasa". You will learn a lot.
• The Regional Museum of Sacred Art located in the Church of Santa María in the town's Plaza de España, where the visitor can see much of the religious-themed artistic heritage of both Peñafiel and the entire Region.

• Its banks, both of the Duero River and the Duratón River. I recommend starting on the wooden bridge near the Molino de Palacios grill along the Senda del Duratón route and reaching the mouth of the Duero, about 3 kilometers. You will see mills, magnificent wooden bridges and a spectacular riverside. And if you dare you can reach Pesquera del Duero.
• Its beaches, yes its beaches. I recommend Valdobar beach, where the town's San Roque hermitage and a beautiful stone bridge are located. Landscaped so that kids and not-so-kids can take a dip, have a snack or read a book quietly on the grass.
• The archaeological area of ​​Pintia, which was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1993, where you can see the history of the Vacceo-Roman and Visigoth settlers between the 4th centuries BC to the turn of the Era.
• Any of the local wineries to learn about the world of wine making and the history of the winery that is the origin of the Ribera del Duero designation of origin: Protos.

Walking through its streets is what is most enjoyed in Peñafiel. Its smells, its streets, its houses, its parks, the wineries dug into the side of the mountain of its castle, enter its bakeries and buy its breads and rolls, in its stores, and of course in its wine cellars buy its wines, and in its bars and restaurants stop to have a wine or a suckling lamb.

During festivals, like any town, the population is even more beautiful, especially during Holy Week and its patron saint festivals of Nuestra Señora and San Roque from August 14 to 18.

I leave here a video of the movie "Nothing ever happens" filmed by Juan Antonio Bardem in 1963 where you can see scenes of Peñafiel from its outskirts and the castle, where we can appreciate during the visit all the improvements that the castle has had:

Visit Peñafiel: it does not disappoint, and will force you to return.