Leon travel guide — Leon tourism and travel information

Leon travel guide

about Leon

The city of León, located at 42.59°N latitude, 5.57°W longitude, is the capital of León province in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon, in northwest Spain. Its population of 135,794 (2002) makes it the largest municipality in the province, accounting for over one-quarter of its population. Its urban area population is calculated in 185,391 (2003)

León is famous for the gothic León Cathedral and many other buildings, as the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro where is located the Royal Pantheon, or Casa de Botines a bank which is an early work of Antoni Gaudi. León is also known for the Easter. Lionese processions are declarated of International Interest. The most important it's the Holy Friday one.

Leon history

León was founded in 68 CE. Its name is derived from the Latin legio, from the Legion VII Gemina, the Roman legion recruited from Iberians, which established the site of the city to control the territory from the wild mountaineers of Asturias and Cantabria, and secure the transport of gold extracted in the province, especially in Las Médulas. The early history of the city is the history of the Kingdom of León, conquered by the Visigoth king Leovigild and then by the Muslims in 712.

Towards the year 846, a group of Muslim Arabs tried to repopulate the city, but a muslim attack prevented that initiative. In the year 856, under the king Ordoño I, another attempt at repopulation was made and this was successful. Ordoño II made León the capital of his Kingdom of León (914) and the most important of the Christian cities in Iberia.

Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was recontructed and repopulated by Alfonso V, whose Decree of 1017 regulated its economic life, including the functioning of its markets. León was a way-station for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago leading to Santiago de Compostela. Suburbs for traders and artisans sprang up, who after the 13th century, began to influence the municipal government. During the early Middle Ages, the livestock industry produced a period of prosperity for the city. In the 16th century, the economic and demographic decadence set in which continued until the 19th century. In June 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, León joined the war against the Republicans.

During the 1960 decade, León suffered a great growth in order to the inmigration received from the rural zones of the province.

Since 1980 León it's the center of Lionese autonomism, who reclaims an self-governement statute, and the parting from Castile. The more radical autonomist support the idea of creating the Lionese Country, which would be formed by the provinces of Salamanca, León and Zamora.

Actually, the mayor is Francisco Fernández (PSOE) who is governing in alliance with the autonomists (UPL)

Near cities to Leon

• Astorga travel guide 43 km
• Oviedo travel guide 88 km
• Gijon travel guide 100 km
• Palencia travel guide 110 km
• Aviles travel guide 110 km
• Zamora travel guide 120 km
• Valladolid travel guide 130 km
• Braganca travel guide 130 km
• Miranda do Douro travel guide 140 km
• Lugo travel guide 170 km

Near webcams to Leon

• Gijón webcam 100 km
• La Molina webcam 130 km
• Cabeza de Manzaneda webcam 180 km
• O Cebreiro webcam 230 km
• La Coruna webcam 250 km
• Madrid webcam 290 km
• Madrid - Glorieta de Bilbao webcam 290 km
• Madrid - Plaza Mayor webcam 290 km
• Madrid webcam 290 km
• Praia Grande webcam 300 km

back to top

Leon travel services

cheap flights to Leon

• book cheap flights to Leon »
• book cheap flights to Spain »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Leon, cheap flights Leon, also available cheap airline tickets to Spain and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Leon deals also available.

cheap Leon hotels

• book cheap hotels to Leon »
• book cheap hotels to Spain »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Leon, Spain hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Leon hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Leon vacations

• book Leon vacations »
• book Spain vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Leon, Spain vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Leon vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Leon

• book cheap car rental in Leon »
• book cheap car rentals in Spain »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Leon, car hire in Spain and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Leon car hire deals also available.

Leon travel insurance

• Leon cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for Spain »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Leon, accident health Leon travel insurance, all using our online Leon travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Spain. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Leon real estate

• Leon real estate guide »
• real estate listings in Spain »

City Travel Guide comes with Leon real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Leon property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Spain, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Leon.

back to top

Leon travel books

Leon travel guide books

• Leon travel guide books »
• Spain travel guide books »

Leon maps and atlases

• Leon maps and atlases »
• Spain maps and atlases »

back to top