Leon Cathedrals
Catedral de León
The most luminous and colourful cathedral in the region. It is
a perfect example of French Gothic architecture, with pure ascending
lines and an exquisite series of stained glass windows letting
cascades of light into the building. It houses a unique collection:
737 stained glass windows with a total surface of 1,765 m2 made
between the 13th and the 20th centuries. The Pulchra Leonina,
a Latin appellation that defines the cathedral as beautiful, it
was started in the 12th century an intended to be the largest
cathedral of the time. This did not happen, but instead it became
one of the most beautiful Spanish Gothic churches.
It was built on the site of a previous Roman hot baths of the
2nd century that, 800 years later, the emblematic king Ordoño
II converted into a palace. Its doors, its impressive rose window,
the choir (one of the oldest in the country) and the delicacy
of some figures, like the venerated Virgen Blanca presiding over
the constant traffic of visitors, are some of the not-to-be-missed
features of this cathedral.
The León cathedral, dedicated to Santa María de
la Regla, was declared of Cultural Interest in 1844. It is known
as the "Pulchra Leonina" and it is a masterpiece of
the Gothic style dominating the mid 13th century, by master architect
Enrique. In the late 16th century it was virtually finished. It
was erected on the site of Roman hot baths dating from the 2nd
century, which were converted into a royal castle by king Ordoño
II in the 10th century.
One of the most attractive features is the main front and the
three towers (two belfries and one clock tower). The interior
represents a beautiful combination of architecture, painting,
sculpture and other arts. It must not be forgotten that the Renaissance
retrochoir contains alabaster sculptures and that the choir was
built by three great artists: Jusquin, Copin of Holland and Juan
de Malinas. Particularly noteworthy is the Plateresque screen
in the wall behind the sepulchre of king Ordoño.
It has three portals decorated with sculptures situated in the
pointed arches between the two towers. The central section has
a large rose window. Particularly outstanding is the image of
the Virgen Blanca and the ?"Locus Apellatiore", where
justice was imparted.
Its almost 1,800 square metres of stained glass windows are regarded
as one of the best attained glass window work in the world (13th
- 15th centuries).
In the Mai Chapel there is an altarpiece by Nicolás Francés
(15th century) and a silver urn containing the relics of San Froilán,
the town's patron saint, made by Enrique de Arfe. The 13th-15th
century cloister contains singular sculpted details in the capitals,
friezes and ledges.
The Cathedral Museum houses a large collection of sacred art.
There are almost 1,500 pieces including 50 Romanesque sculptures
of the Virgin, dating from pre-historic times to the 18th century
(Neoclassicism) with works by Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernández,
Mateo Cerezo, a triptych of the School of Antwerp, a Mozarabic
bible and numerous codices.
Catedral de Astorga
This is one of the most representative buildings of the maragata
capital, a noble, loyal and bimillennial town in the province
of León, a crossroads and melting pot of cultures. It is
part of the dioceses of Astorga, one of the oldest in the Iberian
Peninsula. The church incorporates and synthesises all the artistic
currents, from late Gothic to Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism
and all the languages that over the years have reflected the history,
art, tradition and faith of all the centuries.
Construction started in 1741, on the site of previous Romanesque
cathedrals of the 11th - 13th centuries. Its two twin towers,
the belfry and an older tower that has been restored are the building's
most characteristic features from outside, together with the characteristic
red hue of the stone. Not to forget the statute of the maragato
Pedro Mato, which looms over the town from the top of the building.
Inside, the visitor is surprised by the numerous works of art
in styles ranging from Bytantine-Romanesque to Hispanic-Flemish
and Renaissance.
A second Romanesque structure was erected, which was reformed
in the 12th and 13th centuries, was erected upon the original
cathedral of the 11th century. The present structure is late Gothic
and was declared of Cultural Interest in 1931. It has a rectangular
ground plan, with three naves, the central one prolonging itself
upon the original Romanesque plan, thus preserving the original
concept. The original Gothic style leads to the Baroque style
of the main gate, incorporating some Renaissance elements, since
the building was not completed until 1704.
Leon guide