Today was a rest day in Leon. This city derived its name from the Roman military garrison and base for its legion, hence Leon. The city is large with a population of 130,000.
Our main goal for today was to explore the Leon Cathedral or Catedral de Santa Maria de Regla de Leon. Entrance fee for the Cathedral was only 5 euros. Headphones were provided. The Cathedral was built in the 13th century over the ruins of the ancient Roman baths. However, the building was not completed until the 19th century when it was restored due to its structural integrity.
The inside is representative of a French Gothic style. You will also find some 125 medieval stained glass windows.
After exploring the Cathedral we stumbled into the Cathedral Museum or Museo Catedralicio Diocesano de Leon. This is located next to the Cathedral and is composed of two cloisters which contain over 1500 artifacts. It seems a shame that this museum wasn’t readily advertised. We could have easily passed it by. For an additional 3 euros you are privately escorted to the first of two cloisters. You are then given the usual instructions not to take pictures. The “gate keeper” then locks you in. Your free to explore three floors of the museum by yourself…. Literally by yourself….no one else is in the cloister with you. When you are ready to leave you stand by the door. The surveillance camera picks you up and the “nice lady” unlocks the door.
Camino de Santiago 
Leave a comment