Caminos de León, rutas

Travellers are surprised at how much there is to enjoy in León: from its Roman origins, its 13th century Gothic cathedral, its royal basilica and collegiate church of San Isidoro to modern times with modernist and contemporary buildings. But that's not all, we also have palaces from the Renaissance period that have been converted into buildings for other uses, such as the magnificent Parador de San Marcos with a breathtaking Plateresque façade. 

All of this is enhanced by squares, parks, gardens, and streets of exquisite cleanliness to finish with a "vueltina" (stroll) through the famous "barrio húmedo" (wet neighbourhood). A wine, a beer, a tapa is the culmination of a day rich in positive experiences.  

Dare to get to know León with the best local guides, you won't regret it! 

 

Travel back in time and travel with our specialised guide to the Roman past of the city, which owes its beginnings to the ancient camp of the Legio VI Victrix, back in 10 B.C. and which later, the Legio VII Gemina, established as a permanent camp until the fall of the Roman Empire. 

Do you know who Corocota or Pintaius was, how Ludus Latrunculorum was played, what is commemorated in the "Birth of the Eagle"? Why was the wall painted?  

What role did Publius Carisius or Marcus Ulpius Trajan play in the origins of Leon? 

Come and discover it with Caminosdeleon. 

Hail Caesar, those who are about to come greet you

Astorga, the capital of the Maragatería region, is located on the Camino de Santiago, about 50 km from the city of León.  

It had its origins as a Roman military camp of the legio X Gemina at the end of the 1st century B.C. It later became a civilian settlement and became the "capital" of the Asturiacense Convent. 

Its development was due to its proximity to the most important gold mining site in the Roman Empire, the gold mines of Las Médulas. 

Among the most important monuments are the 15th-century Gothic cathedral and the Episcopal palace, the work of Antonio Gaudí himself. 

Don't miss its main square, the synagogue garden, its famous murals and its streets full of shops where you can buy Astorga's star products: chocolate, mantecadas, puff pastries and cecina. Are you going to miss it?

An important town in the province of León and capital of the Bierzo region. 

It is a tectonic pot with a privileged climate, with mild temperatures. It has around 60,000 inhabitants and has been a land of Templars, castles and beautiful monasteries. 

Its origins date back to the 9th century, when a bishop, Osmundo, decided to build a bridge so that pilgrims to Compostela could cross the river Sil.  

Its rivers are very important, some of them gold-bearing, others trout-fishing; today, agriculture continues to be important, with stupendous D.O. wines together with its peppers, cherries, sour cherries and apples.  

Coal mining has been the industrial engine of this area, leaving its mark on the surroundings. Not in vain, there were the famous gold mines, which Rome exploited for 250 years, the famous Médulas, a World Heritage Site since 1997. 

We cannot forget its 12th century castle, seat of the Order of the Temple, the church of San Andrés, the basilica of La Encina or its main square. 

Las Médulas is a scenic area very close to the city of Ponferrada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.  

The area is the product of an ancient Roman gold mine, the most important in the entire empire. According to current estimates, around 6,000 kilos of gold were extracted here during the two centuries that the mine was in operation. 

You will also enjoy the beauty of its flora, in particular its famous chestnut and oak trees, its legends and its famous gastronomy. 

Come and discover it with our official guides  

 

Travellers are surprised at how much there is to enjoy in León: from its Roman origins, its 13th century Gothic cathedral, its royal basilica and collegiate church of San Isidoro to modern times with modernist and contemporary buildings. 

But that's not all, we also have palaces from the Renaissance period, today converted into buildings for other uses, such as the magnificent Parador de San Marcos with a spectacular Plateresque façade. 

All of this is enhanced by squares, parks, gardens, and streets of exquisite cleanliness to finish with a "vueltina" (stroll) through the famous "barrio húmedo" (wet neighbourhood). A wine, a beer, a tapa is the culmination of a day rich in positive experiences.  

Dare to get to know León with the best local guides - you won't regret it! 

In our basic León tour you will be able to know the history of the city without entering any monument. It is undoubtedly the most economical option.

An impressive building, one of the three works that Gaudí produced outside his native land.  

It is part of the modernist style, resembling a medieval French castle, with its moat and closing gate to give light to the basement of the building. Towers at the four corners and a trapezoidal top. 

Windows in Gothic style but lobed and stone brought from El Bierzo. For many years it was the headquarters of the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de León. 

It was ordered to be built by a Catalan businessman, Mr Botinás, who soon wanted to move his fabric and weaving business and banking house from the main square to where it is now. 

It has recently been converted into the Gaudí Museum, as well as housing one of the best private collections of paintings in Castilla y León, owned by the Fundós Foundation. 

Are you going to miss it?

The Pulchra leonina, as the 13th century Gothic cathedral of León is popularly known. 

The influence of French Gothic by the hand of Master Henry is more than evident, inspired by other cathedrals such as Chartres or Reims. However, what is most striking about the pulchra is its marvellous collection of stained glass windows, many of them originals from the 13th century. 

In total, 1764 square metres with an impressive artistic value that will leave you open-mouthed. 

But it's not all stained glass, the choir stalls made by Flemish artists, the 16th century alabaster choir loft, its famous doorways of the Virgin of the Die and the Last Judgement, as well as the legend of the mole, will make you fall in love with this cathedral for good. 

Will you join us on this journey?