The last major city

Leon. We are guests today in the last major city before we arrive in Gijon next week, marking the end of our journey along the Ruta Via de la Plata, the Silver Route. It was only 50 kilometers from Beñaza to Leon. The sun gave it its all one last time. From tomorrow, the weather is expected to deteriorate.

This matched the view over Leon towards the Cantabrian Mountains, whose peaks were snow-covered. We will have to cross them. We can no longer choose between the highway and the country road. The good old N630 is the only connection to La Pola de Gordon, our next stop. We are heading into the mountains. It is getting colder. We have filled all our tanks – gas and diesel – and stocked up the refrigerator. We are curious about what the next days will bring...

But before that, we want to briefly tell you about our stopover in Leon, which was even the center of a kingdom around the turn of the first millennium and became the most important Christian city on the Iberian Peninsula for 200 years. Many of the first-class relics in the city center attest to its turbulent history with Gothic, Moorish, and Christian influences. Our first point of interest was the cathedral, construction of which began in the first half of the 13th century and is primarily known for its wonderful stained glass windows, totaling 125 and up to twelve meters high.

Another church, the Real Basilica de San Isidoro, is considered a national sanctuary in Spain. It contains unique ceiling paintings, as well as the chalice of Doña Uracca, the upper part of which, the bowl, is seen by various art historians as the Holy Grail, the vessel from which Jesus drank at his Last Supper.

As we often do, we decided to settle for the exterior view at the Pantheon Real, another name for the basilica. Dogs are, of course, not allowed inside, so Icke and I would have to enter the buildings separately. Admission tickets to churches have become quite expensive, and one wants to take the time to look around and let everything sink in. But we cannot find that peace if the other has to wait outside. We encounter so many attractions on our journey – if everyone were to visit each one individually, we might as well be on separate vacations.

Leon is a lovely city with many sights, numerous cafes and bars, and other attractions. Icke is determined to come back. But then to the Parador ...