León

We spent the whole day in León, beginning with a guided tour. Our first stop was the Museo de San Isidro, which dates back to the 11th Century (with many additions since). It includes a basilica, a museum with many ancient artifacts, and more. They don’t allow photography inside the buildings, unfortunately.

On the old Roman city wall at Museo de San Isidro
Monastery Cloister
Museo de San Isidro

Our guide took us by Casa Bontines, built by Gaudi to house the businesses of the Bontines family. It was not well-received by the population of León, but they’ve gotten used to it in the last century.

Casa Bontines (by Gaudi, now a museum)
Sitting with Gaudi

Our next stop was León Cathedral; we walked down the ancient principal Roman street (now today’s big shopping street) to get there.

León Cathedral is spectacular. They do allow photography inside.

León Cathedral
Gothic entrance arches
Just inside the entrance
One of many stained glass windows
The Rose Window
From the choir
In the cloister
Allegory of Justice – removed from outside wall for safety and restoration
Formerly atop the Cathedral; it fell and they decided to put it in the cloister instead of remounting it

After a long and complicated group lunch, we had the afternoon and evening free.

Speed Clean

If you find yourself in León, I highly recommend this laundromat – it’s quick and easy, but doesn’t have a lot of machines (only 2 dryers). We timed it well and had the place to ourselves when we started – there was a line for the machines by the time we finished an hour later.

We finished the day with a long stroll through the riverside park.

Daily park calendar

Bilbao to León via Burgos

We’ve had a long and tiring day of travel; the only sightseeing stop was in Burgos, and it was mostly the Cathedral.

On the way to Burgos
Cathedral de Burgos
This is one of the remaining six gates of progress city wall our guide. Our guide Gloria says it’s the most beautiful. The six men in the two rows at the bottom are Spanish heroes, including El Cid.
Inside the cathedral courtyard
Visitor’s entrance
Pilgrims get a discount
Main alterpiece. The sculpture of Mary in the center is made of 150 pounds of silver.
Grave of El Cid
Just another alterpiece in a side chapel
This clock has been here since the 1500s; it operates every 15 minutes and is called “The Flycatcher”
Our guide demonstrates alabaster
The original owners of this chapel
Columbus reported to the King and Queen here after his second voyage
El Cid

We are now ensconced at the AC Hotel León for the next three nights.