Saturday, June 2, 2018 … Day 21 … Leon … And then they rested!
My Journal:
Woke on my own today, no alarm and nowhere to go. How nice is that?
We had a nice day of exploration, meals, fellowship, and quiet time. I was amazed by the end of the day, we still had walked around 12 km… 8 miles.
It was nice, we took care of errands. Shopping for a poncho, grocery shopping and haircuts.
I was able to go to Mass at the Cathedral again, so amazing. Had some quiet time, took a nap and had a wonderful dinner at the hostel.
Well rested and ready for our walk tomorrow.
Vlog
After waking from my nap, I found myself alone and filmed this video. I hope you enjoy. If you notice, I keep looking up because I was watching the door. I kept thinking that someone was going to return to the room.
Leon
There is so much to see and do in Leon. Great restaurants, shopping, and meandering through the streets in the historical section. Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss.
Leon Cathedral
León’s cathedral is widely known for its 130 church windows and three rose windows, the true jewels of the temple: 1800 square meters (19375 sq. ft.) of polychrome stained-glass windows with medieval origins. They are considered among the best in the world, and they fill up the inside with a sweet and colorful luminosity. The most outstanding windows are the great rose window, located between two spires, and the ones at the Main Chapel, the North transept and the Chapel of Saint James. Source: http://www.turisleon.com/en/patrimonio/ciudad_leon/catedral_leon.html
The stained-glass windows produce a breath-taking swirl of color. There is so much glass and so little wall that the cathedral is in danger of collapsing. Once you stand inside it is breathtaking.
Leon is a great starting point for the Camino, every year more pilgrims are choosing this route.
Basilica of San Isidoro
The Basilica, Pantheon and Museum are all on the grounds. All are worth a visit.
The Royal Pantheon is a marvelous place wellknown as “The Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque Art”. Source: https://www.museosanisidorodeleon.com/en/the-royal-panteon/
Convent of San Marcos
The Convento de San Marcos was a convent in León, Spain is today an operating luxury Parador hotel. It also contains a consecrated church and museum and is one of the most important monuments of the Renaissance in Spain. It is one of the greatest architectural jewels of León, together with the Cathedral, the Basilica of San Isadoro and la Casa Botines.
Casa de Botines
Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece the neo-Gothic palace. This was one of the first buildings constructed with private funding ( instead of funding by religious groups or aristocracy) as a secular, middle-class statement. Over the front door is an image of St George slaying a dragon.
Just a few more days of walking and we will arrive in Astorga. There we will see more Gaudi architecture.
