La capital of Castilla y León offers us much to see for a getaway. It is a city that has a beautiful old town that tells us about all that history, in addition to having its famous cathedral. It is a city that has grown over the centuries thanks to being a communication point in the north. With the rise of the Camino de Santiago it has also become a very touristy place that hosts hundreds of visitors every year.
Let's see what are the main points of visit in the city of León. A city that stands out for its old town but also for its gastronomy and its atmosphere. It is an ideal place for a simple weekend getaway, since it can be visited quickly in two days.
Leon Cathedral
The Cathedral of León, also known as the Bella Leonesa is one of its most important monuments. Be part of Camino de Santiago and was declared a National Monument in 1844, being the first in the country. It was built in the XNUMXth century on top of Roman baths in a very beautiful French Gothic style. This style shows stylized silhouettes that help to unload the walls so that those beautiful stained glass windows and rose windows that are the largest collection in Spain can be inserted. The final aspect is one of lightness, even inside the cathedral, where the great amount of color in these stained glass windows is striking.
Guzmanes Palace
El Palacio de los Guzmanes is close to Casa Botines, making it easy to visit both. This Renaissance palace dates back to the XNUMXth century and was built by one of the most important families in the city. At present it serves as the seat of the Provincial Council. It is located in the Plaza San Marcelo and inside you can see a beautiful old patio with a well in the center.
Botines house
This house is one of the few works that Gaudí carried out outside Catalonia. It is a striking neo-Gothic building with modernist touches. It may be difficult for us to recognize it as a Gaudí building, as it is much simpler than other of his works. It was built to house the headquarters of a textile company but today it is used for the Caja de España in León.
Convent of San Marcos
This convent is one of the Leonese architecture jewels along with the cathedral. It is a beautiful building that was originally created as a hospital for pilgrims but later became a convent and even a jail where Quevedo stayed. At present it is a five-star hostel for those who want to stay in it. It was in the XNUMXth century that work began on this building, demolishing the previous hospital that was in poor condition. Today it is one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
Collegiate Church of San Isidoro
This collegiate church was originally a monastery dedicated to San Pelayo. Today it is an XNUMXth century basilica in the Romanesque style that stands near the remains of the old wall. Inside the collegiate church you can visit various places. The Pantheon of the Kings is the place where the kings were buried during the Middle Ages. The crypt is a very beautiful place with vaults decorated with frescoes that narrate various scenes. In the collegiate church we can also see the oldest Romanesque cloister in Spain. Other places that we can see in this collegiate church are the Renaissance library, the treasure of the kings or the room of the chalice with the chalice of Doña Urraca.
The MUSAC
If you like art you cannot miss the Museum of Contemporary Art of Castilla y León. Its facade will surely attract your attention even if you do not know what it is, since it has panels of all colors. The entrance is not expensive and we can enjoy modern art in a building that is very peculiar. After the ancient monuments that are in León, it is an artistic change that we may like.
Plaza Mayor
La Plaza Mayor is a central place in which we can enjoy a little rest. There are bars, atmosphere and terraces, since it is next to the well-known Barrio Húmedo. In this square we can see old buildings and have a drink while we rest from visits to the city. The ideal place to enjoy the old touch of the city while trying its tapas.
Humid neighborhood
The place where you can enjoy the gastronomy of LeónFor some refreshing drinks accompanied by tapas and the best atmosphere is the Barrio Húmedo, although we must also mention the Barrio Romántico. Tradition tells us that you have to have some wines and a few shorts tasting some of the various tapas that they offer us.