The Uniqueness Of Leon Parador
For those who are searching for a special trip to Spain, the Parador Leon is a wonderful idea. The Parador proudly stands among the best hotels in the world, being unique and exquisite. Its uniqueness comes from the combination of styles when it comes to decorations: for example, the façade is decorated using a spectacular Plateresque style, while the interior uses Baroque elements.
Many have tried without success to copy the Plateresque façade, so you can imagine its beauty. The Parador Leon is a fine and elegant example of style; even great writers have written about its spectacular style and among the famous names stands Edward Cook Widdrington.
The history of the Parador
The history of this amazing monument starts centuries ago. It initially had another name, under which it was known especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was called La Casa Primada and it belonged to the Santiago Order. 1515 is the year when its reconstruction began, as well as its expansion, as it initially was smaller than it is today.
Infanta Dona Sancha, a very religious princess of those times, used some of its chambers to transform them into a hostel for pilgrims. Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrim’s road, crosses the region, so the Parador remained a hostel for a very long time, until it was transformed into a seat for priests belonging to a military order, the Saint James Order.
The Crusades transformed the famous Parador into a monastery, then it served as a civilian and church prison and during its worst times, even horse stable. The setting of the Parador is magnificent and among spectacular gardens. The tourists love the Leon Parador because it uses a Plateresque style on the outside, which transforms towards a combination of Gothic and Renaissance elements as moving towards the inside; the entire interior uses the Baroque style, so you will be impressed by every little part of it.
Entertaining activities
If you decide to spend a few days at the Parador, you’ll have a lot of things to do and places to visit. The city of Leon waits you with the Gothic Cathedral, the Casa Botines which is the result of the work of Antoni Gaudi and the Plaza Mayor. You can also go on a few day trips, such as the one to the Picos de Europa, a wonderful incursion inside the wonders of nature.