City of León

Capital of the province of the same name, León is situated on the River Bernesga, at its junction with the River Torio.

Parts of the ancient city walls are still standing; some of them being Roman fortifications that date from the third century. The best preserved of these are in the "Carrera de los Cubos", on the north-west side of the City, between the cathedral and the Puerta del Castillo.

Amongst the most notable monuments in the city of León are the cathedral, the collegiate church of S. Isidoro, and the convent of S. Marcos.

The cathedral of Sta. María is one of the best examples of primitive Gothic in Spain. Records would indicate that it was commenced in the middle of the thirteenth century with the ornate façade being completed at the end of the sixteenth century. With its three central naves, its plan is that of a Latin cross. The transept, a choir of five naves, and the many side chapels complete the assembly.

The magnificent Renaissance cloister is rectangular in construction and consists of many elegant gothic arches and Plateresque columns. Juan de Badajoz guided its construction.

León has a rich complement of civil and religious buildings that house some of Castilla and León’s greatest treasures. To visit it requires at least a couple of days in order to contemplate the sheer beauty of these ancient relics and to achieve a modicum of appreciation about the city’s importance towards the evolution of modern Spain.

Routes and Places worth a Visit

Towards the north of the city is the basilica of San Isidoro. Its architectural influence is mainly Byzantine, but with the addition of later constructions the introduction of a romanic influence is notable. The church’s three tall naves surmount the crypt in which are buried kings of León. With the French invasion of the 18th century War of Independence, Napoleon's army desecrated the crypt.

To the west and outside the main city lays the convent of S. Marco. Once the base of the Knights of Santiago it was rebuilt by Ferdinand the Catholic and was completed in 1715. Its principal decoration is in the Plateresque style.

Popular Fiestas

Semana Santa is one of the highlights of the calendar year of León. This festival, which celebrates the Passion of Christ and the events leading up to his death and resurrection, has been declared to be of national interest for tourism.

More information: http://www.turismocastillayleon.com/cm/