León Province

León is a province with a rich heritage that stretches from the first faltering human footsteps to the confidence of a modern twenty first century society.

Historical indications would suggest that in the year 68 A.D. the Romans founded a military colony in the place that is now the city of León. This legion was given the name of Legio Septima Gemina. From Legio (acc. legionem), and in accordance with the nature of the Romance-Castilian language, the name León was derived. The identity of this name with the king of the animals (león, from leo, acc. leonem) may explain how the lion came to be associated with both the province and the city León.

In the eighth century A.D. the city of León fell to the Muslim invaders but wasn’t held by them for long and it was soon reconquered by Alfonso I, the Catholic. Destroyed a second time by Muslim forces in the time of Abderahman II (846), it was again retaken and rebuilt by Ordoño I (850-866), who erected there a royal residence that was later to be transformed into the cathedral.

After further royal divisions and power struggles between Christians and Muslim forces, Ordoño II founded the cathedral of León (914-24) and León became the principal Christian state in Western Spain.

The Cantabrian Mountains to the north of the province provide a natural boundary from Galicia and to the east and south the natural frontiers continue in the form of either mountain ranges or river courses separating it from the neighbouring province of Valladolid.

León is, for the most part, located on the great Castilian plateau at more than 1,600 feet above the sea level. To the north it rises towards the Cantabrian Mountains.

Its position on the high Castillian plain means that the local climate varies considerably — cold in the mountains of the north, warm in the lowlands of the south-east; bitter cold in winter and furnace hot in summer.

With the advent of the modern society, the province is now criss-crossed with high quality motorways that have ensured the opening of the country, not only to industry but to all the products and services associated with tourism.

Historically, León has played a crucial role in the development of modern Spain. Many of the populations that now people the peninsula had their roots here. Now, with modern communications and a population that looks to the future, León continues to be a driving force for change.

More information: http://leon.es/frontleon/

Popular Fiestas:

Sahagún. 15th to the 31st July, juggling festival. 15th to 16th of August, the festival of Our Lady are held.

Astorga. 22nd to the 28th August. The festival of Santa Marta.

Ponferrada. Semana Santa in the city is one of the most emotive in the province.

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