León, Spain
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León
Llión | |
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Municipality | |
UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Postal code | 24001 - 24010 |
Telephone prefix | 987 |
Website | Ayuntamiento de León |
León (Spanish:
Founded as the military encampment of the
In 1188, the city hosted the first
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
History
Roman origins
León was founded in the 1st century BC by the
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Legio VI Victrix and Legio X Gemina, two of the three legions ordinarily stationed in the province, but which had been withdrawn to Germany.[10]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
During the
Towards the year 846, a group of
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,
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
In the 16th century, economic and
The military coup d'état that marked the beginning of the
During the 1960s, León experienced much growth due to in-migration from the rural zones of the province.
Main sights
Churches
- León Cathedral, a rayonnant gothic building. It is one of the most relevant examples of the Gothic style in Spain, almost all of it built from 1205 to 1301. [22] It contains one of the most extensive and best preserved collections of medieval stained glass in Europe, with at least 1,764 square meters of surface, most of it containing the original windows.
- painted muralsin an exceptional state of preservation.
- Convent of San Marcos (currently a luxurious Parador) built from the 16th century AD to the 18th. Its most striking feature is a highly ornamental plateresquefaçade.
- Church of San Salvador de Palat del Rey, the most ancient in the city (10th century), however with few remains of the original Pre-Romanesque building. As the name (meaning church of the "Holy Savior of the King's Palace") suggests, it once acted as royal chapel.
- Church of Nuestra Señora del Merdado, from the 11th century.
- Church of San Francisco, an active Catholic church, completed in 1791.
- San Pedro de Eslonza, located about 22 km (14 mi) outside the city.
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 Gaudíand built in 1891-1892 (one of the three Gaudí buildings outside Catalonia).
- Gil de Hontañón.
- 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
- Mansilla+Tuñón, which has an equally striking presence of crisp white cubes perforated by irregularly set windows.
- Museo de León, which contains a collection of prehistorical tools and art from the Roman, Medieval and Modern periods.
- Museo Sierra-Pambley, a house from the Age of Enlightenment
Other areas and sights
- Plaza Mayor (main square).
- Plaza del Grano.
- Barrio Húmedo (the drinking and partying area).
- University of León.
-
León Cathedral, main facade
-
Hostal de San Marcos
-
Gardens of Plaza de San Marcos
-
Plaza mayor
Folklore and customs
Leonese customs include the
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
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
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
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
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 (
Twin towns — sister cities
León is
- Porto, Portugal[34]
- México[35]
- Voronezh, Russia[35]
- Dublin, Ireland[35]
- Xiangtan, China[36]
- Córdoba (Spain)[37]
- Chartres[37]
Food
Within the wide range of
Notable people
- Buenaventura Durruti (1896–1936), anarchist leader.
- Mario Amilivia (born 1957), mayor
- Miguel Castaño (1883-1936), first democratically elected mayor
- Moisés de León (1240-1305), rabbi, kabbalist, author of the Zohar.
- Dolores Gortázar Serantes (1872-1936), novelist.
- Carlos Dominguez Cidon (1959-2009), chef and author.
- José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (1960-), prime minister of Spain (2004-2011).
- Manuel Martínez(1974-), retired shot putter with multiple Spanish records and international victories.
- Carolina Rodríguez (1986-), rhythmic gymnast of Spain’s national team who competed at 3 Olympic Games.
- Sara Llana (born 1997), rhythmic gymnast and member of Spain's national rhythmic gymnastics team.
- David Vidales (born 2002), racing driver
- Emilio Zapico (1944–1996), racing driver
See also
Gallery
-
Facade ofConvento de San Marcos.
-
Hostal de San Marcos
-
Casa de los Botines.
-
The Europa Building.
-
Principal façade of theReal Basílica de San Isidoro.
-
Panteón de los Reyes ofReal Basílica de San Isidoro.
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Plaza de Santo Domingo.
-
La Plaza Mayor.
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Calle Ancha de León.
-
León Museum.
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Biblical and eastern Museum.
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Emperador Theatre.
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
Notes
- ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
- ^ "León ante el reto del futuro" (PDF). Ayuntamiento de León. 30 October 2014. p. 11.
- ^ "The Decreta of León of 1188 - The oldest documentary manifestation of the European parliamentary system". www.unesco.org. UNESCO.
- ^ ISBN 84-7719-817-9. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ Itin. Ant. p. 395; Λεγίων ζ Γερμανική, Ptol. ii. 6. § 30
- ^ Rabanal Alonso 1999, p. 192
- Galba, 10.
- ^ Respecting the use of which, and Gemella, see Caesar B.C. iii. 3
- ^ Tac. Hist. ii. 11, 67, 86, iii. 7, 10, 21--25, iv. 39; Inscr. ap. Gruter, p. 245, no. 2.
- ^ 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
- ^ Mayor, María R. (19 June 2013). "La Unesco reconoce a León como cuna mundial del parlamentarismo". El Mundo.
- ISSN 0213-2079.
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid: 270–277.
- ^ Valderas, Alejandro (1996). "Historia de una joven ciudad de dos mil años" (PDF). XXXI Congreso. León – 1996. Actas y comunicaciones. AEPE. p. 19.
- ^ Valderas 1996, p. 19.
- hdl:10612/722.
- ISSN 0214-736X.
- ^ González Castro 2007, pp. 273–274.
- ^ González Castro 2007, pp. 285–286.
- ^ Viñas, Verónica (2 October 2016). "El holocausto leonés". Diario de León.
- ISBN 9781134259656.
- ^ "Orujo y romances en honor de Genarín". El Viajero. El País. 11 April 2019.
- ^ "Météo climat stats Moyennes 1991/2020 Espagne (page 2)" (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. León, Virgen del Camino" (in Spanish). AEMet. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Menéndez Pidal, R. "El Dialecto Leonés". Madrid. 1906
- ^ "UNESCO Red Book on Endangered Languages: Europe". Helsinki.fi. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- ^ "Cuasi douscientos alunos estudiarán Llingua Llïonesa esti añu". Ayuntamiento de León. 14 November 2008. Archived December 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Corporación". Ayuntamiento de León. Archived from the original on 2019-09-09.
- ^ "Sentencia 00918/2019". High Court of Justice of Castile and León. 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
- ^ "Resultados Electorales en León: Elecciones Municipales 2019".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Oporto | Portugal". Infoidiomas.Com. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Xiangtan (China) se hermana con León y establece por primera vez colaboraciones con una ciudad europea". 18 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ a b "León y Córdoba, hermanas" (in Spanish). Leonoticias. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
External links
- Basilica Saint Isidore of Leon
- León City Council (in Spanish)
- Tourism in León (in Spanish)
- Rural Tourism in León (in Spanish)