The best cycling routes around Valverde De La Virgen

In the heart of Astorga, right next to the cathedral, lies one of the most unusual bishop's residences on the Iberian Peninsula: the Palacio Gaudi. It was designed and built by the famous Spanish architect of the same name (Antonio Gaudi, 1852-1926). A visit to the museum housed here is worthwhile both for the exhibits presented to visitors and, of course, for the imaginative architecture of the building.

Leon is an impressive city. At its heart, the Gothic cathedral captivates with its beauty.

A beautiful, lively square right at the entrance to the old town of Leon.

The Muralla tardo romana in León, Spain, is an impressive remnant of the Roman presence in the city. These walls were originally built in the 1st century AD by the Legio VI Victrix and later reinforced by the Legio VII Gemina. The walls enclose the old city centre and are a mix of Roman, medieval and Baroque architectural styles1. The Roman sections are recognisable by their thick walls, which are up to 8 metres high and reinforced with towers, known as "cubos". One of the most striking sections of the wall can be found at the Avenida de los Cubos, where the towers are still well preserved.

The Puente de San Marcos in León, Spain, is a historic bridge that spans the Bernesga River. The bridge is located next to the famous San Marcos Monastery, which is now a Parador hotel. The origins of the bridge date back to the 12th century, with the first mentions in documents dating back to 1171. However, the current structure dates back to the 16th century and was designed by Leonardo de la Cagiga. The bridge has eight arches and is an important architectural and historical monument in the city.

The Puente de los Leones in León, Spain, is an important bridge that spans the Bernesga River. Built in 1967, this bridge is named after the four white stone lions that guard the bridge entrances. These lions are the work of sculptor Víctor de los Ríos Campos and are one of the symbols of the city of León. The bridge connects the train station with the Plaza de Guzmán el Bueno and the city's main shopping street, Ordoño II1. It is a wide bridge with five lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, and it is one of the main access roads to the city.

EL LEÓN DE SALEAL: We go back to Roman times to understand part of the theme of this sculpture. Cloacina, in Roman mythology, was the goddess who ruled over the Cloaca Máxima, the sewer system of Rome. The sewer name comes from the name of this goddess, because thanks to the origin of sewer systems, a quality of life was achieved in terms of sanitation of urban environments and public health from the beginning to the present day. It should be remembered that the origin of the name of this city and province of León comes from the word legio ("legion"). Legio VII Gemina was the Roman camp that settled here and with it the origin of the city of León. A lion with strength and claws as a symbol of the sanitation system (the modern version of Cloacina Máxima) in constant renewal and maintenance. The goal was achieved: to do something symbolic and reflect the efforts and human work of so many years, to give solidity to our public health and the health of the environment.

Here you can still clearly see the old Roman city wall of Leon. Still very impressive.