León, on the confluence of two rivers, was founded as a Roman camp. It grew prosperous because of the gold trade that passed through the city from the hillsides to the west. Its claim to fame today is its 13th century Gothic Cathedral filled with some of the finest stained glass in Europe.
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
Hostal de San Marcos, our parador in León
A resting pilgrim in León
A resting pilgrim in León
The shell is the mark of the path of the pilgrimage
The shell is the mark of the path of the pilgrimage
This sandal footprint marks the path of the ancient Roman road.
This sandal footprint marks the path of the ancient Roman road.
Casa Botines, designed by Antoni Gaudí for a textile manufacturing family with retail space on the ground floor, warehouse space in the basement, and residential space on the upper floors. It is now a bank.
Casa Botines, designed by Antoni Gaudí for a textile manufacturing family with retail space on the ground floor, warehouse space in the basement, and residential space on the upper floors. It is now a bank.
A statue of Gaudí sketching the design for Casa Botines across the square
A statue of Gaudí sketching the design for Casa Botines across the square
The Palacio de los Guzmanes is the seat of the Provincial Government of León. Architect Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón built the palace in the 16th century.
The Palacio de los Guzmanes is the seat of the Provincial Government of León. Architect Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón built the palace in the 16th century.
Old Town León
Old Town León
Santa Maria de León Cathedral
Santa Maria de León Cathedral
León Cathedral
León Cathedral
León Cathedral
León Cathedral
León Cathedral
León Cathedral
Main altar
Main altar
Blue
The 20,000 square feet of stained glass from the 13th-15th centuries were spared from destruction by Napoleon's troops in the 1800s because they had been removed for cleaning and restoration after a fire and were stored in many different locations.
The 20,000 square feet of stained glass from the 13th-15th centuries were spared from destruction by Napoleon's troops in the 1800s because they had been removed for cleaning and restoration after a fire and were stored in many different locations.
