A corner of Spain was revealed to the heart of Rome: the Interactive Multimedia Center in the Spanish Steps recently hosted a tourist delegation from León, the beautiful city in the northwest Iberian region of Castile and León. The occasion was the extraordinary participation of one of León’s main brotherhoods in the Jubilee of Brotherhoods, an event that also brought in procession through the streets of the capital city the famous brotherhoods of El Cachorro of Seville and Esperanza of Málaga. Welcoming and presenting the city was the Spanish Tourist Office together with Turismo de León, in the presence of Mayor José Antonio Diez Díaz.
The meeting highlighted all the authentic charm of this destination, which captivates with its spirituality, architectural beauty and one of the most appreciated food and wine traditions in the entire Iberian Peninsula.
A cathedral that leaves you breathless
León is first and foremost its cathedral, the Pulchra Leonina, one of the finest examples of Gothic art in Europe. Also known as the “Cathedral of Light” for its 1,800 square meters of stained glass windows-some of the oldest on the continent-it is a masterpiece that thrills with its soaring verticality and the spirituality it exudes. It is one of the symbols of the city, an essential stop along the Camino de Santiago, of which León is an important junction.
Art and architecture to be discovered
But León is not only Gothic. Walking through its historic center, one encounters Romanesque vestiges, such as the Basilica of San Isidoro, a jewel of the Visigothic period that preserves medieval frescoes of extraordinary beauty. Catalan modernism arrived here thanks to Antoni Gaudí, who designed the Casa de los Botines, one of the architect’s rare buildings outside Catalonia, now home to the Caja España Foundation.
The taste of authenticity
León is also synonymous with flavor. Barrio Húmedo, the city’s liveliest neighborhood, is a maze of narrow streets where every step is an opportunity to enter a tavern and taste local tapas, accompanied by glasses of DO Bierzo wine or a deep red Mencía. Not to be missed are specialties such as cecina (dried and smoked beef), botillo (sausage typical of the Bierzo area) and artisanal cheeses to be enjoyed in covered markets or more traditional restaurants.
Spirituality and tradition: Holy Week
Among the events that define León’s cultural and spiritual identity is its Semana Santa, declared of International Tourist Interest. It is one of the most attractive moments for national and international tourism, with more than half a million visitors in 2024 alone, including about 90,000 from abroad. The processions, historical costumes, sacred sculptures and popular devotion create a unique atmosphere where the sacred and the scenic come together in a powerful way. Participation in the Jubilee of Brotherhoods in Rome-with the Jesús Nazareno brotherhood marching in the grand procession on May 17-represents a symbolic bridge between two cities united by faith and culture. “León is a city that knows how to welcome and surprise, where tradition coexists with an excellent quality of life,” said Mayor Diez Díaz, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to promoting sustainable, accessible and high-profile cultural tourism.
Between landscapes and nature: Las Médulas
For those who also want to explore the surrounding area, an hour and a half from the city is Las Médulas, a breathtaking coppery-red landscape sculpted by ancient Roman mining activity. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it provides an unmissable opportunity for hiking, trekking and nature photography in a place that seems suspended in time.
León, with its 128,000 inhabitants, confirms itself as a surprising destination, ideal for those seeking a balanced mix of art, spirituality, taste and natural landscapes. A great little Gothic jewel all to be experienced, which is also told today in the heart of Rome, as a promise of an authentic trip to the heart of Spain
