Stage Notes & History

DIRECTIONS: Follow main road down from Alto del Portillo for 1 km; where the bypass swings away to the right, keep straight on into Puente Castro. Cross the Río Torio by the footbridge. There may be an open information kiosk as you walk into León.

DIRECTIONS: To reach the municipal albergue: after crossing the footbridge go along c/Alcalde Miguel Castaño, turn left into Avda Fernández Ladrera, Left again into c/Monseñor Turrado, alongside the Guardia Civil Barracks, and so into c/Campos Góticos. The albergue is across the road.

PLAIN: The fourth large city on the route and a major highlight. The main sights to see follow.

HISTORY: The Cathedral of Santa María de León is also called the House of Light or the Pulchra Leonin. The Cathedral was built on the site of 2nd century Roman baths. Almost all of the Cathedral was built between 1205 and 1301. The north tower and cloister were built in the 14th century, and the south tower was completed in 1472.

HISTORY: The Cathedral, which is dedicated to Santa María de la Regla, was declared of Cultural Interest in 1844. The building is a masterpiece of the Gothic style of the mid-13th century. The design is attributed to the architect Enrique. By the mid 15th century the building was virtually completed.

HISTORY: The main façade has two towers. The southern tower is known as the 'clock tower'. The Renaissance retrochoir contains alabaster sculptures by Jusquin, Copin of Holland and Juan de Malinas. Particularly noteworthy is the Plateresque iron grill work screen in the wall behind the sepulchre of King Ordoño.

HISTORY: It has three portals decorated with sculptures situated in the pointed arches between the two towers. The central section has a large rose window. Particularly outstanding is the image of the Virgen Blanca and the Locus Appellatione.

HISTORY: The Cathedral has nearly 1,800 square metres of stained glass windows. The great majority of them date from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries: a rarity among medieval gothic churches.

HISTORY: In the main chapel, there is an altarpiece by Nicolás Francés (15th century) and a silver urn containing the relics of San Froilán, the town's patron saint, made by Enrique de Arfe. The 13th- to 15th-century cloister contains sculpted details in the capitals, friezes and ledges.

HISTORY: The Cathedral Museum houses a large collection of sacred art. There are almost 1,500 pieces, including 50 Romanesque sculptures of the Virgin, dating from pre-historic times to the 18th century (Neoclassicism) with works by Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernández, Mateo Cerezo, a triptych of the School of Antwerp, a Mozarabic bible and numerous codices. The first manuscript in Leonese language, the Nodicia de Kesos, can be found in its archives.

HISTORY: Leon Cathedral is also one of the three most important Cathedrals in Spain, along with that of Burgos and Santiago de Compostela.

HISTORY: Visits to the Cathedral: daily 09:30h-13:30h and 16:00h-19:00h.Ticket to museum, cloisters, chapter house etc. 5€. Cloister only, 1€. Sello from the museum.

HISTORY: The Basilica of San Isidoro, 12th c, open all day, was a compulsory halt for pilgrims. Outside is the Puerta del Perdón. The bones of the Saint are in a reliquary on the high altar. A separate entrance on the main façade leads into the 11th c Pantheon, one of the oldest Romanesque buildings, now the museo. Vivid 12th c wall and ceiling paintings. Good bookshop. WCs in basement. Open daily 10:00-13:30 & 16:00-18:30, Sun 10:00-13:30. 3€.

HISTORY: San Marcos. 12th c. monastery for the Knights of Santiago, rebuilt in the 16th c as their headquarters. The huge façade, Romanesque/Plateresque, has a Santiago Matamoros. Now a luxury hotel, it will provide a sello even to non-residents.

HISTORY: Adjacent is the Iglesia San Marcos. A museum in the sacristy is open Tues-Sat, 10:00-14:00 & 17:00-19:30; Sun 10:00-14:00. The original two-storey pilgrim hospital, next to the hotel, is now used by the legal services of Castilla y León.

HISTORY: The church of Santa María del Mercado (formerly ‘del Camino’) is evocative of the camino and the medieval pilgrimage.

HISTORY: Church and Mass - Catedral de Santa María de León. Mass daily every hour from 09:00 - 14:00 & 18:00. Basílica de La Virgen del Camino (Dominicans). Mass daily 08:30 and 18:30 - pilgrims particularly welcome.

DIRECTIONS: Camino through León: Church of Santa Ana, c/Barahona, Puertamoneda, Santa María del Mercado, c/Rua, Ancha, Catedral, Sierra Pambley, Damaso Merino, Cervantes, Plaza Torres de Omaña, Fernando Reguero, San Isidoro, turn right along walls of San Isidoro (Avda Ramon y Cajal), then left along Renueva, Suero de Quiñones, San Marcos and then over the bridge. Go straight on. Soon after the Chapel of Santiago (on the right) there is a yellow arrow to the left taking you through new housing and then a polígono (an industrial estate). You emerge on the main N120 shortly before Virgen del Camino.