Places of Interest in Spain– Leon
A part of Castile’s autonomous community, the province of Leon is considered to be the largest municipality with a population of about 135000 local inhabitants. Like other parts of Spain, Leon is also blessed with the most beautiful environment. Located on the banks of the famous river Bemesga, the province is blessed with a tall mountain range which commences from Galicia. Actually this mountain range separates Castile from Leon.
Leon has a long history which can be traced back to the 1st Century BC. The influence of Roman Empire on this city is evidenced by many monuments which are preserved even to this day. The king Alfonso III established the first Christian kingdom in Leon.
Places of interest in Leon:
The Cathedral Pulchra Leonina also called the Santa Maria de Leon is considered to be one of the most beautiful structures of Spain. According to historians, the place where the Cathedral is now built was actually a Roman Bath built in the 2nd Century.
800 years later, His Majesty Ordono II built a palace on the Roman Bath. In the 13th Century, renowned architect Enrique converted the palace into a cathedral and in the early 16th Century the Cathedral in the existing format was completed.
This cathedral is also called the House of light. The masterly paintings on the stained glass have no parallel in entire Europe. The two towers on the façade with the famous alabaster sculpture in the Renaissance retro choir; masterly works of sculpture, particularly those in the arches of the two towers; the images of Virgin Blanca and Locus Appellatione; the stained glass installed in the 15th century which in all measures about 1800 square meters and the works of art on it are some of the many other unique features of this great cathedral. The interior of the Cathedral is luxuriously decorated. Tourists will be certainly bemused with the unparallel beauty of this Cathedral.
Festivals:
In the month of April, on the last Sunday the town councilors and the Church authorities bow to each other in a ceremonious manner. This festival is held in San Isidoro cloister. It is held to mark the sharing of powers between the Civic body and the Church authorities. This is one of the most famous festivals of Leon.
Leon is very well connected by road. It is also connected by Rail from Madrid. The luxury villas and apartments offer the most economic accommodation to the visitors. The hotels, restaurants and bars offer delicious food and wine.