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Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) One of the three largest churches on the Camino de Santiago, it is also known as one of the most exquisite window grilles in the world. The interior is filled with soft and colorful colors and brightness. It is really recommended to visit. Not just for its architecture, history or stained glass. It is dominating a city with incredible cultural potential. Admission is €7 for adults. worth. Museums and corridors can be added, 100% recommended> #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) This is one of the most complete museums of its kind, with a large number of treasures on display. The museum houses collections from various periods of art history, from prehistory to the 20th century, spread around the cathedral's cloisters. The rooms dedicated to Romanesque art are particularly outstanding, housing 60 sculptures from the 12th and 13th centuries; Castilian and Flemish triptychs, ivories, religious objects and unique codices such as the Mozarabic Antiphon, a tenth-century Bible and the Libro de las Estampas (Testament of the Monarchs of León). #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) It is the work of architect Enrique Gil de Hontañón. Its shape is trapezoidal. It has four towers, one at each corner. It also has a courtyard with pillars. On its outer walls there are outlined stone slabs with several carvings. In the lower part of the building you can find large openings with solid grilles and corbels with the arms of the Guzmán family. The upper part has a balcony with a projecting window sill and iron railings. It was declared a national monument in 1963. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) It was built on the foundations of an earlier church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, which was demolished by Mansur in 988. Alfonso V restored it; Ferdinand I subsequently built a new church, to which the relics of St. Isidore and St. Vincent were transferred, giving it particular importance. The church was originally built in Asturian Pre-Romanesque style and was later rebuilt in full Romanesque style, with three naves and a sanctuary with three apses. When it was converted to the Gothic style, one of the apses was demolished. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #CastileandLeón

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Our time in San Marcos was an experience we will never forget. You will feel part of history, walking through Parador you will find yourself surrounded by a building that is hundreds of years old, but with the quality and comfort of the 21st century. Added to this, there is a peace and quiet that is hard to find in the city center. Finally, our visit to San Marcos ended with a well-prepared dinner and breakfast with exquisite dishes. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Our time in San Marcos was an experience we will never forget. You will feel part of history, walking through Parador you will find yourself surrounded by a building that is hundreds of years old, but with the quality and comfort of the 21st century. Added to this, there is a peace and quiet that is hard to find in the city center. Finally, our visit to San Marcos ended with a well-prepared dinner and breakfast with exquisite dishes. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Antonio Gaudí began planning the building in 1891, commissioned by a cloth merchant from León. These business owners traded with the Catalan textile industry. Catalan businessman Carlos Güell recommended Gaudí as a possible designer for the new headquarters of León's textile companies. The result is an Art Nouveau building with a medieval appearance. All commercial activities take place on the lower floors, while the upper floors are used for apartments. The building was classified as a Historical/Artistic Monument in 1969. Inside Casa Botines, you can see how Gaudí combined technique and style in the architectural details, and climb the original tower, which was completed in 1893. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Over time, León became the capital of a medieval kingdom, a historical halfway point on the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Route and a city that was very welcoming to its inhabitants. The incredible natural landscapes of the province will take us to the Picos de Europa National Park, the Las Médulas region (World Heritage Site) and the winter resort of San Isidro. The quality and variety of León's gastronomy are unmatched and it is a cultural and leisure activity. Roman Legion VII Gemina Pia Felix preserves an interesting Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance heritage, a result of medieval splendor. The Plaza Mayor is the heart of the city, with the Bernesca River running through it. In the middle of this Baroque complex stands the Town Hall, popularly known as the "balcony of the city" because the nobility could observe the town's activities from its gallery. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #CastileandLeón

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) A very, very interesting museum in all respects, it is a beautiful Indian family house, restored but keeping the same layout, it also belonged to a family whose members stood out, some of them were outstanding poets, others for being prominent and excellent - well-known figures in Astorga. In the different rooms there are also messages from other cultures in the region, there is a large collection of documents and photos, and there is also a room that displays artworks and hosts book presentations. I also really enjoyed how well maintained, decorated and clean the whole room was, the tour can go on for as long as you want but if you are not in a hurry it could take a few hours to absorb all the information. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) This is a small museum that can be visited in an hour. Great for taking kids as some of the rooms have things they can touch. It shows you where chocolate comes from and how it is made. Although the exhibit is static, they have a manual machine in the exhibit that makes chocolate from cocoa fruit. There is a room with videos showing you how chocolate is made. They gave us chocolates to try, each one was different, and you can buy handmade chocolate there if you want. Admission is €2.50 per person. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) The original building of the Astorga Episcopal Palace was destroyed by fire in the 19th century, so the bishop commissioned Gaudí to rebuild it. Gaudí designed it in 1889, but the subsequent construction was not smooth and it was not completed until 1915. Very beautiful palace designed by Gaudi. Well worth a visit especially if you like history, you can learn about the history here and if you want to read everything it will take a few hours. The stained glass windows are cool and the artist's designs are clever. A must visit. There is a toilet inside, as well as free lockers of different sizes with digital codes. There is an elevator to go up and down the different floors. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Its construction began on the orders of the master Francisco de la Lastra and is a fine example of civil architecture, comparable to the old town halls of León, Valderas and Ponferrada. It is a 17th century Baroque-style civil building. The shield and clock on the main facade are very eye-catching. The clock is distinguished by two automata representing the two maragatos; they strike the central clock with a gavel every hour. For those who haven't seen it yet, it's worth waiting for rush hour to see their performance. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) This is the oldest church in town, originating from a late 11th century Romanesque church and has undergone many transformations during its history. Its constant transformation has produced a variety of styles and works of art from different periods, leaving behind Mozarabic, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque relics. The tower dates from the 12th century, the doorway from the 14th century and the transept from the 16th century. Inside there is a main altarpiece in a church style. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Astorga, a key point on St. James’s Way to Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral was built on top of a Romanesque church, and the two towers were not completed until the 18th century. Its structure is late Gothic with some Baroque and plate-style elements, such as the main entrance and the two towers. The main altarpiece is octagonal, a solution by the architect Gaspar Becerra to adapt it to the shape of the apse. The main entrance is in the flamboyant Gothic style and is extremely beautiful, decorated with a large number of plants and cherubs. The doors to the vestry were designed by Gil de Hontañón. Of particular interest is the walnut pulpit with a bas-relief by Master Becerra. Inside there are valuable sculptures such as the Inmaculada by Gregoryio Fernández. The Diocesan Museum is located in the rooms next to the cloister. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) The capital of the Malagatria county in the province of León has a rich medieval heritage due to its location at the crossroads of the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Route and the Silver Way. The walled town preserves its churches, monasteries and hospitals, allowing visitors to rediscover the purest traditions of the pilgrimage. Another notable feature of the town's streets is the pinnacle of modernist architect Antoni Gaudí: the Bishop's Palace. Astorga is also a great opportunity to enjoy the region's rich gastronomy. Astorga is located at the intersection of two important Spanish routes, which were on the itineraries of pilgrims in the past. The older of the two routes is the Silver Route, which dates back to Roman times. This route (Gijón-Seville) was the one used to transport metals extracted from mines in the north of the peninsula to shipping ports in the south. During the Middle Ages, it was used by Arab and Christian armies during their conquests and reconquests. This well-travelled route for centuries later became the route for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. The Way of St. James , a Jacobean route declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, also passes through Astorga. It's part of a series of roads crisscrossing Europe and northern Spain leading to Santiago de Compostela, a holy city that's home to the tomb of the Apostle St. James. The historic quarter of this small Galician town is also a World Heritage Site. #JanuaryDestinations2025 #SpainTravel #CastileandLeón

Spain Westward ~ León (Region) The bridge over the Seia River originated from Rome, but there is no trace of the old bridge. This is the entrance to Sahagun from the old road. This "singing" bridge is the main civil monument of Sahagun. Built in the 18th century, mostly using recycled stones from unfinished churches, this bridge allows you to cross the Seia River and follow the Camino de Santiago to Leon. From Sahagún, a tall cross marks the intersection of the Camino Francis and the road to Madrid. It is the bridge that pilgrims cross as they leave Sahagún along the Camino de Santiago. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) The famous Basilica of Our Lady of Pilgrimage is another monument of the capital of Sahagún, although it is not strictly speaking Romanesque. Located on a moderately high hill to the south of town, it is the church of the Franciscan monastery, founded in 1256 as a pilgrim hospital for travelers crossing the French road in search of Santiago de Compostela. The building is large and plain, built of brick, with a nave composed of six sections divided by diaphragm arches supporting a wooden roof. The chancel is arched with a brick ribbed vault. The basilica is also noteworthy for its famous sculpture of the Virgin, which is now guarded by the Benedictine nuns in their own museum. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Located in the small town of San Pedro de las Dueñas, this monastery is a Benedictine monastery for nuns and has a small hotel on site. It was declared a Historical Monument of Spanish Heritage. It was built between the late 10th and early 11th centuries and is one of the most representative churches of Mudéjar Romanesque architecture. The original church was built of stone and brick, rectangular in shape, with three naves topped by an apse, separated by semicircular arches and covered with barrel vaults and a brick cross. The main chapel is capped by a striking square brick tower that gradually decreases in height and is decorated with various types of arches. The monastery buildings were built in the 18th century. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) There is an interesting museum with gold and religious paintings, a magnificent monstrance designed by Enrique de Arfe (16th century). In the Chapel of Mercy of the Benedictine Monastery of the Holy Cross there are the tombs of Alfonso VI… and his women (Sahagún). Alfonso VI died in Toledo on the night of June 30-July 1, 1109, and was buried in Sahagún on August 12 of the same year. His remains, as well as those of his three wives (Inés, Constanza and Berta) and the Andalusian princess, Zaida or Zaida (Isabel), consort of the king, were found in the Monastery of Santa Croce (Benedictine). #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) This is one of the oldest Mudéjar churches in the province of León. It has a triple apse and sanctuary. It consists of a tower above the rectilinear section of a central apse, a dividing transept and 3 naves with wooden roofs. Both the nave and the apse were begun in stone slabs, but continue the Mudejar style, as the boxed semicircular arches remind us. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) Only three parts of the Royal Monastery of San Benito remain: the San Mancio Church, the Tower and the San Benito Arch. The Church of San Mancio was originally dedicated to San Benito. The town bell was installed in the tower of the Royal Monastery of San Benito until 1835, when the church was destroyed. The Church of San Mancio has one of the earliest Mudéjar-style walls on the peninsula. The ruins of the San Mancio Mission were declared a National Monument in 1931. The monastery was almost completely destroyed during the Peninsular War and a series of fires. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Spain Westward Journey ~ León (Region) 67 km southeast of León, we find Sahagún, a historic city located on top of a smooth earthen hill, whose nerve center is the main square or Plaza Mayor, which still preserves its original porticoes. On the street we can see some brick and wood houses, as well as some houses built with clay and straw. The local artistic heritage is a legacy of a prosperous past and includes notable buildings such as the Monastery of San Benito el Real, of which only a neoclassical arch remains, the Mudejar churches of San Tirso and San Lorenzo, built in the 12th and 13th centuries respectively, the Benedictine monastery, now home to the Sahagún Museum, and the Sanctuary of Peregrina, just outside the city. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castile-León

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) Created in 1606 by Doña María de Toledo-Osorio, this Baroque church and altarpiece are the work of the 17th-century Academy of Becerra. Built on the ruins of an old pilgrims' hospital, the Marquis Pantheon is of particular interest. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) This example of the Transitional Romanesque style has a floor plan with a single nave covered by a barrel vault. Its most interesting element is the south facade known as the "Puerta del Perdón" or "Gateway of Forgiveness". Its origins date back to 1186, when the Bishop of Astorga received a papal bull authorizing the construction of a church. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) The building is located in an important town on the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago. It is a large square with round towers at the corners, and the rooms of the palace are arranged around a central inner courtyard. The Castle of the Marquis of Villafranca is located in the upper part of the town. It has a quadrangular plan with four round towers at the corners and is divided into three wooden floors. It is more similar to the castle-palace type than to the castle-fortress example. Its main door is made of brick and is surmounted by one of the various shields that we can see in its layout. The castle stands out for its elegance and strategic location. It has a circular plan and is topped by a slate roof typical of the region. It is built with high quality masonry. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) In Vila Bierso we visited a few churches, but this church impressed me deeply for its monumentality. It originated in the 12th century as a Benedictine monastery that welcomed pilgrims to Santiago. In 1529, when it was in decline, Perro de Toledo decided to restore it and turn it into one of the most important temples in the region. A tour inside won't disappoint either. The current church was built in the 16th century and its layout is in the late Gothic style with Renaissance and Baroque elements. Some call it (Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque 16th century Bertian architecture). The church has three naves, the central one being wider than the side ones. And finally in these chapels. The altarpiece on the main altar is neoclassical and dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The choir in Baroque Rococo style corresponds to the second half of the 18th century. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) The museum houses a collection over 100 years old that was collected by the church’s missionaries during their travels. There are many stuffed animals, especially Philippine birds, and a collection of shells and minerals. This is a very curious and interesting museum, and while it does have very old stuffed animals, the history behind the entire museum is interesting to say the least. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Western Spain ~ León (Region) This hotel is located within the building of the Los Padres Paúles Monastery, featuring Baroque architecture and built in the 17th century. The cloister has two rows of semicircular arches with pilasters (closed with oval windows and oculi), and one wing has a double-arched gallery above it. The cloister is used as a terrace for the hotel bar, providing easy access. Another highlight is the Baroque church, which has a nave and a lantern on the transept vault. I would particularly note its wooden altarpiece, though I'm not sure if it is open to visitors.

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) It is the last important town on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela that passes through León. Its rich monumental heritage and influence from the pilgrims of St. James make it an important tourist center. Its old town has been declared a cultural property. The main square (or Plaza Mayor), the Town Hall, the calle del Agua (Water Street), the arch at its end, mansions (such as the Moorish mansion of the 15th century), the Monastery of Augustinus Recoletas and others The palaces constitute the upper part of the tourist route. At the entrance of the village you can find the 12th-century Romanesque church of Santiago. The Puerta del Perdón door is located on one side. Pilgrims who were unable to travel to Santiago de Compostela due to illness received jubilee blessings here. The castle palace of the Marchioness of Villafranca is located near this church. However, the best place to see the palace is on Calle del Agua: in the coat of arms appear some landmarks such as Torquemada Palace, Casa Morisca or the birthplace of the writer Gil y Carrasco. Other monuments worth visiting include the Gothic collegiate church of Santa María built by Gil de Hontañón, the 17th-century baroque convents of San Nicolás El Real, La Annonciada and San José, as well as the church of San Francisco, which has Beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling. We should also visit the Museum of Natural Sciences. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Leon (region) Carucedo is the starting point for the climb to Las Médulas, a landscape formed by red and craggy clay mountains set amidst green vegetation It stood out and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Las Médulas was a masterpiece of Roman engineering, who exploited the many rich gold deposits found in the area. To do this, they used a complex system of channels to divert water from the Aquilano Mountains, 15 kilometers away. The Romans would drill galleries into the mountains (some of which are still standing), flood them, and then wait for the water to cause the mountains to collapse into washhouses, where they would examine the fragments in search of gold. Over time, these washlands turned into lakes, such as Lake Pozosumido or Lake Redondo. In total, they extracted about 240 million cubic meters of soil for mineral separation, yielding an estimated 800,000 kilograms of gold. This mining process, combined with vegetation and natural erosion, managed to create the stunning landscapes we see today. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Castilla-Leon