Introduction to Castilla y Leon

To the north of Extremadura lies the region of Castilla y Leon representing almost 20% of Spain. It is an autonomous community constituted in 1983 although the 2 kingdoms actually merged in 1230. It is the largest region in Spain, covering 36,380 square miles and has a population of 2.5 million.

More than 60% of all Spain’s heritage sites are to be found in Castilla y Leon. There are 112 historic sites, 400 museums, 500 castles and 12 cathedrals. Here you will find the highest concentration of Romanesque art in the world and the greatest number of historical paradors (16). It is a stunning region to visit, with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than those of Tuscany and Lombardy. Yet this is a region which is rarely visited by the foreign tourist, probably because of the large distance from any airport. It is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Madrid Airport to Salamanca in the south west of the region and a good hour more to Leon in the north west.

Castilla y Leon is land bound, surrounded by Extremadura, Castile- La Mancha, Asturias and Cantabria. The region is actually a high plateau, approximately 800 metres above sea level, surrounded by mountains. The region is cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. The main river which crosses Castilla y Leon is the Douro whose source is the Picos de Urbion in the province of Soria at the eastern end of Castilla y Leon and then flows for 897 miles to its mouth in Porto in Portugal.

The cities contained within this enormous region are legendary and dominate the history of Spain. Salamanca, the Golden City with its 12th century university, Renaissance churches and majestic Baroque main square; Segovia with its Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral and Romanesque churches; Leon and the 13th century Gothic cathedral with 1,800 square metres of stained glass windows, Gaudi’s Casa Botines and Plateresque style hospital which is now a parador; Burgos with its well preserved medieval centre, main square and French Gothic cathedral; Avila with its spectacular medieval walls (best seen at night); Valladolid, home of Cervantes, its Spanish Gothic church and beautiful main square; Zamora with its Art Nouveau influences and 23 Romanesque churches and Easter festivities; Astorga and its Episcopal Palace designed by Gaudi - the list is endless.

And throughout the region threads the Ruta Via de la Plata, the Pilgrims’ Way, the Camino de Santiago, passing through Salamanca, Zamora, Benavente, La Baneza, Astorga and Leon. This is a region of historical and religious significance like no other.

Castilla y Leon may be harder to get to but, more than any other region in Spain, deserves a visit. You would not be disappointed.