Leon is a crossroads of civilizations, artistic styles and historic destinations. For more than two millennia the sun has blessed this noble capital, founded by legions whose destiny was to conquer, integrate and urbanize. The first primitive outpost established on the banks of the Torío and Bernesga rivers evolved into one of the most important northern cities on the peninsula.
One of the basic ingredients that help shaped the Leonese character is the pilgrimage along the Santiago Trail, that centuries-old cultural and spiritual journey. Its presence has molded the identity of the city itself. León grew thanks to the Milky Way of the alquimists, a way of life that was key to Europe evolving to this day. ???
At the dawn of this third millennium, León remains an urban center bustling with life whose cultural identity was forged over centuries. Loyal to its heraldic past, it conserves its solemn Old City with its gorgeous catalogue of palaces, churches and monuments. Its perfection also points toward the future, as seen clearly in its audacious and cosmopolitan contemporary buildings. Generations pass, dynasties rise and fall, but the heart has rendered judgement: León’s mythology is eternal, a tapestry sewn with the threads of modernity and its exquisite past. Fortunately, León has many faces, allowing visitors to travel seamlessly from its beginnings to the present as seen through such visual gems as the city’s renowned Auditorio, the MUSAC and other structures integrated into its identity and stalwart heritage. León is a great place to celebrate and enjoy life. One of the threads tying the city’s heritage and modern attractions together is its gastronomy. Your palate will thrill to the taste of a plethora of dishes that seem to condense and summarize the culinary history of the land. A banquet with traditional roots that makes room for the latest gastronomical trends without sullying the treasure that is the Leonese character.
The best way to get to know León is by experiencing it, taking in the city’s magical light as it filters into its iconic corners, passing through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral, the colors of the MUSAC and other spots…
Taken as a whole, your left with something clear and irresistible: “The Charm of León.”
