León Cathedral, León
The Catedral de Santa María de León or León Cathedral (also called "The House of Light") is the cathedral of the city of León in northwest Spain. It was built on the site of a Roman bath of the 2nd century which, 800 years later, King Ordoño II converted into a palace.
León Cathedral's great doors, its rose window, the choir (one of the oldest in the country) and the delicacy of some figures, like the venerated Virgen Blanca presiding over the constant traffic of visitors, are among the many impressive features of this cathedral.
History
León Cathedral, dedicated to Santa María de la Regla, was declared of Cultural Interest in 1844. It is a masterpiece of the Gothic style dominating the mid 13th century, by master architect Enrique.
In the late 16th century it was virtually finished. It was erected on the site of Roman hot baths dating from the 2nd century, which were converted into a royal castle by king Ordoño II in the 10th century.
What to See
One of the most attractive features is the west front with its the three towers (two belfries and one clock tower). The interior represents a beautiful combination of architecture, painting, sculpture and other arts.
The Renaissance retrochoir contains alabaster sculptures and the choir was built by three great artists: Jusquin, Copin of Holland and Juan de Malinas. Particularly noteworthy is the Plateresque screen in the wall behind the sepulchre of king Ordoño.
It has three portals decorated with sculptures situated in the pointed arches between the two towers. The central section has a large rose window. Particularly outstanding is the image of the Virgen Blanca and the Locus Apellatiore, where justice was imparted.
Its almost 1,800 square metres of stained glass windows are regarded as one of the best attained glass window work in the world (13th - 15th centuries).
In the Mai Chapel there is an altarpiece by Nicolás Francés (15th century) and a silver urn containing the relics of San Froilán, the town's patron saint, made by Enrique de Arfe. The 13th-15th century cloister contains singular sculpted details in the capitals, friezes and ledges.
The Cathedral Museum houses a large collection of sacred art. There are almost 1,500 pieces including 50 Romanesque sculptures of the Virgin, dating from prehistoric times to the 18th century (Neoclassicism) with works by Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernández, Mateo Cerezo, a triptych of the School of Antwerp, a Mozarabic bible and numerous codices.
