León

Located right in the centre of the province it names, León is one of the cities with the most history on the peninsula.

It was born as a Roman military camp around 29 BC, right at the confluence of the Bernesga and Torío rivers. With the fall of the Roman Empire, León was depopulated until the expansion of the Kingdom of Asturias once again turned the area into an important place. Around the year 910, it became the capital city of the Kingdom of León, beginning its period of greatest splendour and growth.

Under the reign of Alfonso IX, it hosted the first courts in Europe, in 1188. This event earned it the designation of the Cradle of Parliamentarism by UNESCO in 2011. During the Late Middle Ages, it lost some importance, and it was then integrated into the Kingdom of Castile. During the War of Independence, it was one of the first cities to rise up, and already in the 19th century, it began its phase of urban expansion.

The importance of León over the centuries made it one of the cities with the greatest artistic heritage, most of which has endured to this day. One of the most notable examples is the Royal Collegiate Basilica of San Isidoro, one of the most outstanding Romanesque works on the peninsula. Likewise, the Monastery of San Marcos should also be mentioned. This construction dates from the 16th century and was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs with the aim of being a reception centre for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

Moreover, León boasts a unique modernist work in the world. We are talking about the Casa de los Botines, a building constructed and designed by the great Gaudí, being one of his three works outside Catalonia.

León also stands out for its rich and varied gastronomy. In its bars and restaurants, one can taste exquisite cured meats and dishes such as Maragat stew or roast lamb.