León, Spain

Coordinates: 42°36′20″N 5°34′12″W / 42.60556°N 5.57000°W / 42.60556; -5.57000
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
León
Llión
Municipality
UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
24001 - 24010
Telephone prefix987
WebsiteAyuntamiento de León

León (Spanish:

Leonese: Llión [ʎiˈoŋ]) is a city and municipality of Spain, capital of the province of León, part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a population of 124,303 (2019),[2] by far the largest municipality in the province. The population of the metropolitan area, including the neighbouring San Andrés del Rabanedo and other smaller municipalities, accounts for around 200,000 inhabitants.[3]

Founded as the military encampment of the

Umayyad conquest of the peninsula, 910 saw the beginning of one its most prominent historical periods, when it became the capital of the Kingdom of León, which took active part in the Reconquista against the Moors
, and came to be one of the fundamental kingdoms of medieval Spain.

In 1188, the city hosted the first

Memory of the World register by UNESCO in 2013.[4] The city's prominence began to decline in the early Middle Ages, partly due to the loss of independence after the union of the Leonese kingdom with the Crown of Castile
, consolidated in 1301.

After a period of stagnation during the early modern age, it was one of the first cities to hold an uprising in the Spanish War of Independence, and some years later, in 1833 acquired the status of provincial capital. The end of the 19th and the 20th century saw a significant acceleration in the rate of urban expansion, when the city became an important communications hub of the northwest due to the rise of the coal mining industry and the arrival of the railroad.

León's historical and architectural heritage, as well as the numerous festivals hosted throughout the year (particularly noteworthy are the Easter processions) and its location on the

Casa Botines, a Modernist creation of the architect Antoni Gaudí. An example of modern architecture is the city's Museum of Contemporary Art or MUSAC
.

History

Roman origins

León was founded in the 1st century BC by the

Roman conquest of Hispania. In the year 74 AD, the Legio VII Gemina —recruited from the Hispanics by Galba in 69 AD— settled in a permanent military camp that was the origin of the city.[5] Its modern name, León, is derived from the city's Latin name Castra Legionis.[6]

2nd century Roman stele found in the city walls

The Romans established the site of the city to protect the recently conquered territories of northwestern Hispania from the Astures and Cantabri, and to secure the transport of gold extracted in the province —especially in the huge nearby mines of Las Médulas— that was taken to Rome through Asturica Augusta (modern-day Astorga).[7][8]

Tacitus calls the legion Galbiana, to distinguish it from the old Legio VII Claudia, but this appellation is not found on any inscriptions. It appears to have received the appellation of Gemina[9] on account of its amalgamation by Vespasian with one of the German legions, probably the Legio I Germanica. Its full name was Legio VII Gemina Felix. After serving in Pannonia, and in the civil wars, it was settled by Vespasian in Hispania Tarraconensis, to supply the place of the Legio VI Victrix and Legio X Gemina, two of the three legions ordinarily stationed in the province, but which had been withdrawn to Germany.[10]

That its regular winter quarters, under later emperors, were at León, we learn from the Itinerary, Ptolemy, and the Notitiae Imperii, as well as from a few inscriptions;[11] but there are numerous inscriptions to prove that a strong detachment of it was stationed at Tarraco (modern Tarragona), the chief city of the province.

Some elements of the original Roman encampment still survive in the modern city layout. Long sections of the Roman walls (built between the first century BC and the fourth century AD) are still standing. There are also archaeological exhibitions showing remains of the walls, gates, baths and an amphitheatre.

Middle Ages

The post-Roman history of the city is largely the history of the Kingdom of León. The station of the legion in the territory of the

Leovigild
; and it was one of the few cities which the Visigoths allowed to retain their fortifications.

During the

Umayyad conquest of Hispania, in 715 Tariq advanced from the area of La Rioja towards Astorga and León. The same fortress, which the Romans had built to protect the plain from the incursions of the mountaineers, became the advanced post which covered the mountain, as the last refuge of Cisastur Tribes. However, there is no notice of resistance whatsoever. An attempt was made by the invaders to settle the strongholds with Berbers came in a military capacity, but the scheme was abandoned when the Berbers of northern Iberia rebelled against the Arabs and gave up their positions to join the revolt
around 740.

Towards the year 846, a group of

Alfonso III of León and García I of León made León city the capital of the Kingdom of León and the most important of the Christian
cities in Iberia.

The seat of the kingdom of Asturias moved to León in 910.

Sacked by Almanzor in about 987, the city was reconstructed 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. With Alfonso V of León the city had the "Fueru de Llión", an important letter of privileges.

In 1188,

three estates in the city of León (including representatives of the urban class) in the Cortes of León of 1188. Due to the written documentary corpus, the 1188 Cortes were recognised by the UNESCO in 2013 as "cradle" of parliamentarism.[12]

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.

Free from the seigneuralisation process of the Late Middle Ages, towards the end of the era León had consolidated as one of the 13 cities in the Meseta enjoying the right to vote at the Cortes of Castile.[13]

Modern history

General view of León, published in 1867 in El Museo Universal.

In the 16th century, economic and

Early Modern period the city remained controlled by a reduced set of noble families by means of the regimientos and regidurías.[14]
The city population increased from 9,000 to 15,000 during the 19th century.[15] The population further increased during the 20th century: 18,000 (1910), 44,000 (1940), 73,000 (1960), and 100,000 (1971).[16]

The military coup d'état that marked the beginning of the

Francoist side.[20][21]

During the 1960s, León experienced much growth due to in-migration from the rural zones of the province.

Main sights

Churches

The León Cathedral

Other historical buildings

  • Roman Walls, built in the 1st century BC and enlarged in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Long sections in the Eastern and Northern sides are preserved, as well as less complete parts in the Western side and some remains surrounded by other buildings in the Southern side. Some sections of a Medieval wall built in the 13th and 14th centuries AD also exist in the Southern side. The wall can be visited in specific locations.
  • neogothic styled building designed by Antoni Gaudí
    and built in 1891-1892 (one of the three Gaudí buildings outside Catalonia).
  • Gil de Hontañón
    .
Casa de los Botines
was built by Antoni Gaudí.
  • Palacio del Conde Luna (14th century).
  • Palacio de los Marqueses de Prado, a 17th-century Baroque building, currently the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Regla.

Museums

Other areas and sights

Folklore and customs

The burial of Genarín, a satyrical procession remembering the death of a furrier in 1929.[23]

Leonese customs include the

Christ, in the esplanade in front of the old council. Associated with Semana Santa is the procession called "The Burial of Genarín". Genarín was an alcoholic beggar who was hit and killed by the first garbage truck in the city of León in the year 1929.[citation needed
] This is a celebration of alcohol, and the main purpose of the people who attend it is getting drunk in honor to the alcoholic beggar.

The San Juan and San Pedro festivities are also remarkable, celebrated during the last week of June (between June 23 and June 29). During these days several concerts and festivals take place and the whole city is occupied by

street markets where Leonese people celebrate the beginning of the summer, especially on San Juan's night (June 23) when fireworks and bonfires
take place.

Districts

The city of León can be divided into more than 36 districts (barrios):

  • Centro or downtown
  • Casco Antiguo or Casco Histórico, the historical part of the city
  • Área 17
  • Armunia
  • Cruce de Armunia
  • El Crucero
  • El Ejido
  • Ensanche
  • Eras De Renueva
  • Ferral
  • La Asunción
  • La Chantría
  • La Lastra
  • La Palomera
  • La Sal
  • La Torre
  • La Vega
  • La Victoria
  • Las Ventas
  • Obra Sindical Del Hogar
  • Oteruelo De La Valdoncina
  • Paraíso-Cantinas
  • Patronato Viviendas Militares
  • Pinilla
  • Puente Castro
  • San Andrés del Rabanedo
  • San Claudio
  • San Esteban
  • San Lorenzo
  • San Mamés
  • San Marcelo
  • San Marcos
  • San Martín
  • San Pedro
  • Santa Ana
  • Santa Marina
  • Santa Olaja
  • Polígono 10
  • Trobajo Del Cerecedo
  • Trobajo Del Camino
  • Villabalter

Climate

León features an

: Csb), depending on the criteria used. In winter, temperatures normally oscillate between −1 °C (30 °F) and 13 °C (55 °F). Frost is common in the early hours of the morning before the dawn during the coldest days of the winter, but normally melts after sunrise. Snowfalls are not rare in the city (9 days a year), however heavy snowfalls are not common. Summers are warm and relatively dry, with temperatures usually oscillating between 16 °C (61 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F). With about 2,673 sunshine hours, the city enjoys a considerable amount of sunshine throughout the year.

Climate data for León, Virgen del Camino 916 m asl (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.0
(69.8)
21.5
(70.7)
25.5
(77.9)
29.2
(84.6)
31.9
(89.4)
36.5
(97.7)
38.2
(100.8)
38.2
(100.8)
37.4
(99.3)
28.4
(83.1)
23.4
(74.1)
19.0
(66.2)
38.2
(100.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1)
9.8
(49.6)
13.4
(56.1)
15.4
(59.7)
19.4
(66.9)
24.4
(75.9)
27.5
(81.5)
27.1
(80.8)
22.9
(73.2)
17.1
(62.8)
11.2
(52.2)
8.2
(46.8)
17.0
(62.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.3
(37.9)
4.8
(40.6)
7.6
(45.7)
9.5
(49.1)
13.0
(55.4)
17.3
(63.1)
19.8
(67.6)
19.7
(67.5)
16.4
(61.5)
11.9
(53.4)
7.0
(44.6)
4.2
(39.6)
11.3
(52.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7)
−0.2
(31.6)
1.9
(35.4)
3.6
(38.5)
6.7
(44.1)
10.2
(50.4)
12.1
(53.8)
12.2
(54.0)
9.8
(49.6)
6.8
(44.2)
2.7
(36.9)
0.3
(32.5)
5.5
(41.9)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−14.4
(6.1)
−11.2
(11.8)
−9.1
(15.6)
−4.0
(24.8)
0.0
(32.0)
3.0
(37.4)
2.6
(36.7)
0.0
(32.0)
−3.4
(25.9)
−7.2
(19.0)
−15.4
(4.3)
−17.4
(0.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 51.9
(2.04)
31.9
(1.26)
39.9
(1.57)
47.9
(1.89)
55.5
(2.19)
29.5
(1.16)
18.1
(0.71)
20.3
(0.80)
30.6
(1.20)
63.4
(2.50)
55.6
(2.19)
58.1
(2.29)
502.7
(19.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 8.5 5.9 7.0 8.2 8.3 4.4 2.9 2.7 4.5 8.4 8.1 7.9 76.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 131 173 219 239 277 324 365 333 259 187 142 125 2,774
Source: Météo Climat[24]
Climate data for León, Virgen del Camino 916 m asl (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.0
(69.8)
21.5
(70.7)
25.5
(77.9)
29.2
(84.6)
31.9
(89.4)
36.5
(97.7)
36.5
(97.7)
38.2
(100.8)
37.4
(99.3)
28.4
(83.1)
23.4
(74.1)
19.0
(66.2)
38.2
(100.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8)
9.5
(49.1)
13.3
(55.9)
14.8
(58.6)
18.6
(65.5)
24.0
(75.2)
27.4
(81.3)
26.9
(80.4)
22.9
(73.2)
16.7
(62.1)
11.2
(52.2)
8.0
(46.4)
16.7
(62.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8)
4.7
(40.5)
7.6
(45.7)
9.0
(48.2)
12.6
(54.7)
17.1
(62.8)
19.8
(67.6)
19.6
(67.3)
16.5
(61.7)
11.7
(53.1)
7.0
(44.6)
4.3
(39.7)
11.1
(52.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7)
0.0
(32.0)
1.9
(35.4)
3.3
(37.9)
6.6
(43.9)
10.2
(50.4)
12.2
(54.0)
12.3
(54.1)
10.1
(50.2)
6.7
(44.1)
2.8
(37.0)
0.4
(32.7)
5.5
(41.9)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−14.4
(6.1)
−11.2
(11.8)
−6.1
(21.0)
−4.0
(24.8)
0.0
(32.0)
3.0
(37.4)
2.6
(36.7)
0.0
(32.0)
−3.4
(25.9)
−7.2
(19.0)
−15.4
(4.3)
−17.4
(0.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 50
(2.0)
34
(1.3)
32
(1.3)
45
(1.8)
56
(2.2)
31
(1.2)
19
(0.7)
23
(0.9)
39
(1.5)
61
(2.4)
59
(2.3)
66
(2.6)
515
(20.3)
Average precipitation days 8 6 6 8 9 5 3 3 5 8 8 9 75
Average snowy days 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 13
Average
relative humidity
(%)
82 74 66 65 62 56 52 54 62 74 80 83 67
Mean monthly sunshine hours 130 161 214 228 259 314 358 327 246 178 137 120 2,673
Source:
Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[25]

Transport

Airport

.

Alvia high-speed train in León

Railway stations

León has two railway stations, León railway station on the Renfe line, and León-Matallana on the Renfe Feve lines. There are high-speed services that connect León to Madrid in approximately two hours. Other destinations directly reachable from León are Galicia (to the West), Asturias (to the North) and Valladolid (to the South-East, in the same route as Madrid).

Public transport

León has 13 city bus lines, belonging to the company Alesa, a subsidiary of ALSA. Besides the buses, there are plans to introduce tram lines in the city.

Leonese language

Palacio del Conde Luna

History

The Leonese language derives directly from Latin and developed in the Middle Ages. At this time, Leonese was the official language of the Leonese Kingdom and achieved a high codification grade in the city of Llión.[26] The first written text in Leonese was Nodicia de Kesos (959 or 974); other works in the language include Fueru de Llión, Fueru de Salamanca, Fueru Xulgu, Códice d'Alfonsu XI, ou Disputa d'Elena y María or Llibru d'Alixandre.[27]

Leonese is considered a seriously endangered language by UNESCO.[28] It is almost extinct, being known and spoken by only a very few elderly people who live isolated in the mountains of the northern part of the province of León. However, people who wish to separate León from Castile and who support Leonese autonomy are trying to revive the language. León City Council and Leonese language associations like the Asociación Cultural de la Llingua Llïonesa El Fueyu are promoting its knowledge and use.

Leonese Language Day started in 2006 with the support of Leonese Provincial Government, and from 2008 the celebration is organised by the León City Council.

Teaching

At the end of the 1990s, several associations unofficially promoted Leonese language courses. In 2001, the Universidad de León (University of León) created a course for Teachers of Leonese language, and local government developed Leonese language courses for adults. The Leonese Language Teachers and Monitors Association (Asociación de Profesores y Monitores de Llingua Llïonesa) was created in 2008 and promotes Leonese language activities.

Leonese lessons in schools started in 2008, and it is currently taught in sixteen schools in León city in 2008–2009, promoted by the Leonese Local Government Department for Education. This course is for pupils in their 5th and 6th year of primary school (11- and 12-year-olds), where Leonese language is taught with Leonese culture.

More than one hundred people are studying Leonese in adult classes in 2008–2009. There are five levels for adults in the official courses developed by the Department for Leonese Culture of the Leonese City Council.[29]

Government

The Leonese City Council was founded in 1345. It has 27 city councillors.

In the last municipal elections (26 May 2019) the results[30][31][32] were:

  • Spanish Socialist Workers Party
    (Partido Socialista Obrero Español, PSOE) - 30.31% of the votes and 10 councillors
  • Partido Popular - 29.61% votes and 9 councillors
  • Ciudadanos
    - 13.98% and 4 councillors
  • Unión del Pueblo Leonés
    - 9.42% and 3 councillors
  • Podemos-Equo - 5.35% and 1 councillor

The mayor is José Antonio Diez, from the PSOE.

León is in the county (

comarca) of Tierras de León
.

Twin towns — sister cities

León is

twinned
with:

Food

Cecina: Leonese traditional food

Within the wide range of

mantecadas
(pastry). Another very important part of the gastronomy of León are the tapas, which are usually given free with drinks, unlike in the rest of Spain. It is very common to go "de tapas" or "tapear" i.e. to go for a few drinks ("un corto", which is a very small beer, "una caña", which is roughly half a pint of beer or "un vino", a glass of wine, or a “butano”, a small glass of orange soda) just before lunch but more normally as a light form of dinner.

Notable people

See also

Gallery

  • Facade of Convento de San Marcos.
    Facade of
    Convento de San Marcos
    .
  • Hostal de San Marcos
    Hostal de San Marcos
  • Casa de los Botines.
    Casa de los Botines
    .
  • The Europa Building.
    The Europa Building.
  • Palacio de los Guzmanes.
  • Principal façade of the Real Basílica de San Isidoro.
    Principal façade of the
    Real Basílica de San Isidoro
    .
  • Panteón de los Reyes of Real Basílica de San Isidoro.
    Panteón de los Reyes of
    Real Basílica de San Isidoro
    .
  • Plaza de Santo Domingo.
    Plaza de Santo Domingo.
  • La Plaza Mayor.
    La Plaza Mayor.
  • Calle Ancha de León.
    Calle Ancha de León.
  • León Museum.
    León Museum.
  • Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León.
  • Biblical and eastern Museum.
    Biblical and eastern Museum.
  • Emperador Theatre.
    Emperador Theatre
    .

References

  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

Notes

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. Instituto Nacional de Estadística
    .
  3. ^ "León ante el reto del futuro" (PDF). Ayuntamiento de León. 30 October 2014. p. 11.
  4. ^ "The Decreta of León of 1188 - The oldest documentary manifestation of the European parliamentary system". www.unesco.org. UNESCO.
  5. ^ . Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  6. ^ Itin. Ant. p. 395; Λεγίων ζ Γερμανική, Ptol. ii. 6. § 30
  7. ^ Rabanal Alonso 1999, p. 192
  8. Dion Cass. iv. 24; Tac. Hist. ii. 11, iii. 25; Suet.
    Galba, 10.
  9. ^ Respecting the use of which, and Gemella, see Caesar B.C. iii. 3
  10. ^ Tac. Hist. ii. 11, 67, 86, iii. 7, 10, 21--25, iv. 39; Inscr. ap. Gruter, p. 245, no. 2.
  11. ^ Muratori, p. 2037, no. 8, A.D. 130; p. 335, nos. 2, 3, A.D. 163; p. 336, no. 3, A.D. 167; Gruter, p. 260, no. 1, A.D. 216
  12. ^ Mayor, María R. (19 June 2013). "La Unesco reconoce a León como cuna mundial del parlamentarismo". El Mundo.
  13. ISSN 0213-2079
    .
  14. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
    : 270–277.
  15. ^ Valderas, Alejandro (1996). "Historia de una joven ciudad de dos mil años" (PDF). XXXI Congreso. León – 1996. Actas y comunicaciones. AEPE. p. 19.
  16. ^ Valderas 1996, p. 19.
  17. .
  18. .
  19. ^ González Castro 2007, pp. 273–274.
  20. ^ González Castro 2007, pp. 285–286.
  21. ^ Viñas, Verónica (2 October 2016). "El holocausto leonés". Diario de León.
  22. .
  23. ^ "Orujo y romances en honor de Genarín". El Viajero. El País. 11 April 2019.
  24. ^ "Météo climat stats Moyennes 1991/2020 Espagne (page 2)" (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. León, Virgen del Camino" (in Spanish). AEMet. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  26. ^ "Morala, R. (2004): Norma y usos gráficos en la documentacion leonesa. In: Aemilianese I, S. 405-429" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-12. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  27. ^ Menéndez Pidal, R. "El Dialecto Leonés". Madrid. 1906
  28. ^ "UNESCO Red Book on Endangered Languages: Europe". Helsinki.fi. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  29. ^ "Cuasi douscientos alunos estudiarán Llingua Llïonesa esti añu". Ayuntamiento de León. 14 November 2008. Archived December 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ "Corporación". Ayuntamiento de León. Archived from the original on 2019-09-09.
  31. ^ "Sentencia 00918/2019". High Court of Justice of Castile and León. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  32. ^ "Resultados Electorales en León: Elecciones Municipales 2019".
  33. ^ "Una delegación leonesa inicia en Bragança el hermanamiento entre las ciudades – León". www.diariodeleon.es. 2006-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  34. ^ "Oporto | Portugal". Infoidiomas.Com. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  35. ^ a b c "Ciudades y pueblos se benefician del hermanamiento con otros territorios". Larazon.es. Archived from the original on 2009-12-21. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  36. ^ "Xiangtan (China) se hermana con León y establece por primera vez colaboraciones con una ciudad europea". 18 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
  37. ^ a b "León y Córdoba, hermanas" (in Spanish). Leonoticias. Retrieved 2010-01-23.

External links

42°36′20″N 5°34′12″W / 42.60556°N 5.57000°W / 42.60556; -5.57000