Top Things to do in Castile and Leon
Top Hotels in Castile and Leon
- 1. NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos
- 2. Vincci Ciudad de Salamanca
- 3. Parador de Salamanca
- 4. Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma
- 5. NH Collection Palacio de Burgos
- 6. Ibis Salamanca
- 7. Palacio De Los Velada Hotel
- 8. NH Collection Leon Plaza Mayor
- 9. Hotel San Antonio el Real
- 10. Hotel Candido
The 10 Best Churches & Cathedrals in Castile and Leon, Spain
Discover the best top things to do in Castile and Leon, Spain including Ieronimus, Iglesia Parroquial De La Inmaculada Concepcion, Iglesia de los Santos Justo y Pastor, Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral, Iglesia de San Nicolas de Bari, Cathedral of Segovia, Iglesia de San Martin de Fromista, Catedral De Burgos, Catedral de Palencia.
Restaurants in Castile and Leon
1. Ieronimus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,410 reviews
Reviewed By 6nickc - New York City, United States
This was easily the best thing I did in Salamanca. The trip up takes you around several scenic viewpoints of the cathedral and both the interior and exterior, culminating in great views at the top of the Bell tower. The stairs are quite steep for the final climb, be warned, it is unsuitable for those with low mobility and can only be traversed one direction at a time, leading to a traffic light system. I heard someone below me slip and fall once.
2. Iglesia Parroquial De La Inmaculada Concepcion
3. Iglesia de los Santos Justo y Pastor
4. Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,487 reviews
Reviewed By Duquesadiner - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Although we didn’t take the audio tour, there is enough to see by just strolling around the inside of this beautiful church. My advice is to spend a good while on the outside initially, the architecture is simply magnificent, you will spot some strange additions by a few stone masons over the years, the astronaut being a good example. There is a charge to enter but it is worth it. It is very cool inside, a welcome change in temperature on this visit, it was 35 degrees outside. If you look up once inside you might see people walking along what appears to be an inside track on the roof, they have actually come in through the Ieronimus, a separate but attached building. Actually I enjoyed that visit more than the cathedral, due to the great views over the city.
5. Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,243 reviews
Gothic-era cathedral of golden sandstone with soaring stained glass windows and richly decorated West portals.
Reviewed By Geraldin523 - Darlington, United Kingdom
A magnificent feat of engineering and well worth a visit inside. Enjoyed Pilgrim Mass in this wonderful cathedral
6. Iglesia de San Nicolas de Bari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By Pucela08 - Lawrence, United States
Situated on a terrace, steps from the main plaza of the Cathedral, the Church is an incredible gem. San Nicolás contains an amazing late 15th-century altar piece in honor of Saint Nicholas. The artistry is amazing, a visual treat designed to inspire spiritual meditation. The church itself is quite intimate, on a more human scale than the cathedral, with nice details and decorative elements. The ornate altar is the dominant attraction. But the other spaces should not be missed, especially the side altars. The afternoon I visited, the entrance was free (on Tuesday), and the visit was a bargain. It is close to the cathedral and worth the walk up the steps. It is a place to reflect, catch your breath, and process the spiritual.
7. Cathedral of Segovia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,386 reviews
The Holy Cathedral of Segovia is a Catholic temple devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and San Frutos. During the Communions War (1520 – 1522) the Cathedral was destroyed, it was located in front of the Fortress. They decided to build a new one. The first stone of the new Cathedral was used the 8th of June 1525 in its current location and its design relies on the architect D. Juan Gil de Hontañón. A Late Gothic style can particularly be seen on the Cathedral’s tower, the highest one during the XVII century. In 1614, a fire caused the destruction of its wooden spire. Hence, a stone spire designed by Pedro de Brizuela was used as a substitute. It was consecrated the 16th of July 1768 by Bishop D. José Martínez Escalzo. Currently, it is known by many as “The Lady of Cathedrals”, due to its size and slenderness.
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
Segovia's Cathedral is said to be the last of Spain's Gothic cathedrals, started in 1525 after the previous cathedral was destroyed, but then not finished until 250 years later. Its interior is beautiful, typically sumptuous in the Spanish way and at times over-the-top. We also thought the building a more manageable size to explore than some of Spain's grandest cathedrals like Burgos or Toledo. Even so, it still took us nearly an hour to see it all, including the cloisters the chapterhouse and the treasures on display on the lower levels, and without doing the tower tour, which was only available in Spanish.
8. Iglesia de San Martin de Fromista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 391 reviews
Reviewed By W1051AZscottw - South Miami, United States
You need to pay a small admission charge to get in but well worth it. This church is in pristine condition and the stone work and carvings are very unique and interesting. Tour groups come and visit but best seen after they leave to enjoy the church in quiet. Probably can see it in 15-30 minutes unless you want to linger more.
9. Catedral De Burgos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,861 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
The model of construction for the Cathedral in Burgos was the Cathedral in Saint-Denis, although the architects were not from France. Simply French Gothic was an example of the genre in the XIII century, when king Fernando III decided to build this greatest Cathedral. However, the Gothic style is mostly outside. Renaissance and Baroque dominate the interior. The reason is trivial - the Cathedral was built for a long time and constantly rebuilt. The entrance is separate for Catholics through the Western portal, and for tourists from the southern side through the Puerta Sarmental for 8 euros. It's worth it! The main hit in the Catholic part of the Cathedral is the crucifix, which was allegedly made by Nicodemus, who removed Christ from the cross (in fact, the XIV century). Catholics believe that nails and crowns are the same , and hair and nails still grow, so every week they have to do a manicure. The other chapels are located in the tourist part of the Cathedral. We need to take an audio guide for a detailed introduction. I found the most interesting several chapels. The Capilla de la precentacion (#8 in the audio guide) is interesting with the hyperrealistic tombstone of the Capella's client, Gonzalo Diaz de Lerma, and the painting "the Holy family"by Sebastian del Piombo. Chapel of Santa Anna (#12), created by the German Juan de cologna, who built the spires of the Cathedral. The main masterpiece is the altar dedicated to the genealogy of St. Anna of Jesse, the father of king David. Gilles de Siloé created this altar. He also began creating an altar for the chapel of the Constable (#22). This is the burial place of the most powerful man in Castile after the king constable de Velasco. The tombstones of de Velasco and his wife, as well as the altar of the chapel are made in the Renaissance style. Of course you can't pass by Capilla Major. The altar of the chapel is made by the brothers Rodrigo and Martín de la Haya in the Mannerist style. In addition to the chapels, the Golden staircase is a masterpiece of the Cathedral. Escalera dorada was created by Gil de Siloé's son Diego de Siloé. It leads to the street, which is 8 meters higher than the floor of the Cathedral, but it is not visible because the doors are never opened. The center of the Cathedral is given to the main Shrine-the grave of the hero of Spain CID and his wife Ximena. CID (real name Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) became a hero of the Reconquista a century after his death in 1099. Castilian biographers changed the biography of the Castilian knight retroactively. They changed the CID's capture of Valencia for themselves to a liberation for the king of Castile. Biographers kept silent about the campaigns of CID with the Moors against the Christians. Sid's wife Jimena was exiled from Valencia and she took her husband's bones and moved North. After visiting many places, the hero's relics were laid to rest in the Cathedral of Burgos in 1921 under a modest pink slab. The magnificent stalls of the choir Renaissance Plateresque work by Bigarny are located near the CID`s tomb. You need to get acquainted with the Cathedral Museum and two cloisters on the way out of the Cathedral. It's not as impressive as the main part, but it's still interesting.
10. Catedral de Palencia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 922 reviews
Discover "The Beauty Unknown", as has been popularly known the Cathedral of San Antolin of Palencia since always. Centuries of history, pieces of art, stories, legends, famous characters... all this and more is what the visitor finds out on its visit to this huge cathedral that never ceases to let people indifferent and that always amazes to the ones that penetrates inside. Within the Project "The Beauty Known" this sacred temple begins its journey as a center of worship and tourism, aiming the dissemination of this flagship of Palencia´s heritage.
Reviewed By mireilleb554 - Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
I was on a short trip to Palencia ,a small historic town where I was surprised to discover a striking cathedral in Plaza de la Inmaculada .I visited the most important cathedrals of Spain in the past ,but I had no idea about the Unknown Beauty .I learnt that the ''old lady''is declared Historical -Artistic Monument .It was a great pleasure to travel back in the 14 th century .From the outside it seemed to me simple and austere ,but once inside I realised its beauty ,admiring the wonderful high altar with the story of Christ in dozens of panels ,as well as other religious elements .I particularly enjoyed the wonderful big flamand tapestries ,they are really spectacular . Unfortunately I didn't have enough time for a serious study .
