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Leon is
one of the
most
historic
regions of
Old
Castile.
It is a
fairly
large
province,
bordered
by
Galicia
and
Asturias,
as well as
by Palencia
and
Zamora.
Very few
Celtic
remains
have been
found here
but there
is
evidence
of Roman
occupation.
Other
peoples
have
settled
here
including
the Moors
but it was
the
Knights
Templar
who built
castles
and
fortifications
here in
the Middle
Ages. Much
of the
region has
escaped
the
tourist
boom and
remains
wooded or
mountainous,
making it
an ideal
location
for the
trout
fishing
that
attracts
so many
people
each year.
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The city
of Leon
has been
very
cosmopolitan,
even since
Roman
times when
it was
known as
Legio
Septima
due to
the fact
that the
seventh
legion was
stationed
here. The
Moors
moved in
briefly
but were
driven out
by the
kings of
Asturias
who chose
it as
their new
capital in
AD913.
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Leon has a
very
important
link by
train with
Madrid and
other
important
cities and
is linked
by several
major road
routes.
The old
town of
Leon is
set back
from the
river,
partly
enclosed
at one end
by the
remains of
the
medieval
ramparts.
Here you
will find
tranquil
places to
rest and a
bustling
market
area and
ample
historic
buildings
to view. |
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One of
Leon's
glories
is
without
doubt,
the
Cathedral,
one of
the
finest
in
Europe
and
having
been
constructed
from the
13th
century
for a
period
of 200
years to
completion.
Among
its
unusual
features
are its
towers
and
steeples
where no
attempt
was made
to make
them
match.
It has
more
than 250
remarkable
stained
glass
windows
including
a large
rose
window.
In total
there is
over
1800
square
metres
of
glass.
The
cathedral
museum
is also
worthy
of a
visit
with its
wide
array of
exhibits.
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The
Collegiate
Church of
San
Isidoro
houses an
impressive
collection
of early
manuscripts.
An early
Romanesque
construction.
The
Convento
de San
Marcos
(picture
below) is
the former
house of
the
Knights of
Santiago.
Although
the
origins
date back
to the
12th
century,
the facade
dates from
the 16th
century.
Today it
is a
luxury
hotel
whose
interior
has the
appearance
of a
museum.
The
building
has also
served as
a hospital
and a
prison.
The
Old Town
Hall
was
erected in
the late
17th
century
and
commands
the Plaza
Mayor. |
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The
Palacio de
los
Guzmanes
is a
magnificent
16th
century
building
with an
impressive
courtyard.
It was
once the
home of
the Guzman
family,
one of the
wealthiest
families
in León.
The
building
has four
towers.
The
Casa de
Botines
is an
impressive
piece by
Gaudí with
large
turrets on
each
corner. |
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The
Town
Walls
are of
Roman
and
Medieval
construction
and are
very
impressive.
The
San
Isidro
Tower
is of
particular
interest.
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Festivities
Las
Cabezadas:
On the
last
Sunday in
April in
the
cloister
of San
Isidoro,
the town
councillors
and church
authorities
bow
ceremoniously
to each
other as a
celebration
of the
sharing of
power
between
civil and
church
authorities.
San Juan y
San Pedro:
21st-30th
June. This
is the
major
festival
in León.
San
Froilán y
Las
Cantaderas:
5th
October,
festivities
around the
Cathedral. |
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Contact
Numbers |
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National
Police |
987
207
312
Emergency
091 |
|
Local
Police |
987
255
500
Emergency
092 |
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Guardia
Civil |
987
221
100
Emergency
062 |
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Hospital
Virgen
Blanca |
987
237
400 |
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Hospital
General
Princesa
Sofia |
987
237
400 |
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Red
Cross
Ambulance |
987
222
222 |
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Fire
Service |
080 |
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Tourist
Office |
987
237
082 |
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Town
Council |
987
227
350 |
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Post
Office |
987
876
081 |
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Radio
Taxi |
987
261
415 |
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Museum
of
León |
987
245
061 |
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