Culture of Leon. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Architectural and historical monuments of different eras are presented in Leon. Curious travelers will be able to see ruins of ancient city walls, admire beautiful religious buildings and walk along spacious squares. The largest square is ​​Plaza Mayor; a few centuries ago, it served as the main arena for bullfights. Today this square is surrounded by popular shopping and nightlife centers; fairs and interesting social events are often held here.

The beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria de Leon is an irreplaceable symbol of Leon. Its construction was completed in 1301. The original building was located on the site of ancient Roman baths. The cathedral doesn’t cease to amaze guests with original architectural forms and fine finished facade. The beautiful Gothic building also differs with unique interior decoration; the central hall of the cathedral is decorated with luxurious items. Near the Santo Domingo square there is another important religious landmark, the church of San Marcelo. It also has an original exterior design and an abundance of valuable religious artifacts.

Ruins of the fortress walls represent themselves an important object located in the old district of the city. Part of the walls with towers and gates has survived until the present day. Looking around the ancient fortifications, you will notice a huge number of tracks left by military shells. Each track is a memory of difficult battles and momentous events in the history of the city. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An interesting object to visit is the Basilica of St. Isidore. Over the long history it has repeatedly changed its status. Once upon a time, it housed the famous school of jewelers. Craftsmen who later made Leon famous thanks to their unique creations were trained there. There were crafts made of precious metals, gems and ivory. The most striking monument of the Renaissance is the San Marcos Parador. The facade of this building is largest in the city; its design features traditional Plateresque style. Visitors should definitely see the priceless creation of world-renowned master Antoni Gaudi - the building of Casa de los Botines. It is made in neoclassical style and is one of the most spectacular buildings of the city.

Leon was founded at the same time as the Roman Legion was formed here (even the city's name derived from the Latin “Castra Legionis” speaks of this). To find out more about this, go to the Centro de Interpretacion Del Leon Romano. In the Museo de Leon, you can learn about the history of the city and the region far before its foundation so history buffs will get an unforgettable experience. It is also known that Leon has been under the rule of the Moors for some time. To get an idea of how locals interacted with representatives of the Middle East, as well as the religious history of the city, head to the Museo Bíblico y Oriental.

Those who wish to watch some interesting theatrical performances or music concerts would be happy to visit Auditorio Ciudad de Leon where events of this kind are not uncommon - just check the repertoire and choose the right one. Its building is of interest from an architectural perspective, being an example of modern architecture (its construction started in 1994 and was completed by 2002). For fans of fine and sculptural art - in particular, its contemporary variations - it would be worthwhile to mention that Leon has the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León (abbreviated as MUSAC), which stores a magnificent collection of priceless artifacts.

Any tourist route around the city must include the Renaissance palace Palacio de los Guzmanes that dates back to the second half of the 16th century. The architect was Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, however, Juan Ribero de Rada was responsible for completing the construction. It so happened that the latter hasn't managed to finish it. Despite this, the palace has remained the most prominent building of Leon until the beginning of the 20th century (since it was finally decided to complete the palace at that time).

Palacio Del Conde Luna is another beautiful historical monument, which is definitely worth a visit while in Leon. It was erected in the 16th century, although the construction of the palace began in the previous century. Today, temporary exhibitions are held here regularly. It's worth highlighting that it's impossible to ignore the building - it draws the attention with its wonderful facade immediately. Walking around Leon in search of buildings of special architectural interest, Castillo de Alija del Infantado built in the late 15th century should never be missed either. Once there were thirteen towers, which have repeatedly protected the city from attacks. As many believe, the fortification was built on the site of a Roman fortress, but there is little documented evidence of this.