CASTILLA Y LEÓN ROUTES

Situated between Salamanca and Leon, and only fifty kilometers from the border of Portugal, Zamora is a charming small city that retains its medieval flavor. Including the Cathedral, the city contains the greatest concentration of Romanesque churches in the world, 23 in total. Zamora is included as a part of the official Art Nouveau European Route because of its numerous well-preserved buildings dating from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.

Half Day Tour:

Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum with its impressive collection of Flemish tapestries, The Romanesque church of Mary Magdelene, Viriato Square and Plaza Mayor.

City tours may include:

The Castle, The Holy Week Museum, The Museum of Ethnography, and additional Romanesque churches.

Tours of the province may include:

Toro, Arribes del Duero, and the Monasterio de Moreruela.

The magnificent color of the stone used to build its many monuments lends the city of Salamanca a golden hue. It is an official UNESCO World Heritage City. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, gives the city a unique character. Since its founding nearly 800 years ago, the University still attracts thousands of students every year. Salamanca is a treasure trove of artwork and contains masterpieces from every style. It also features magnificent building facades that are so detailed they look like tapestries made out of stone.

Half Day Tour:

The old Romanesque Cathedral and the new Gothic Cathedral, The University of Salamanca, The House of Shells, and Plaza Mayor.

City tours may include:

The San Esteban Convent, Las Dueñas Convent, The Clerecia church, Monterrrey Palace, and Casa Lys Museum.

Tours of the province may include:

Campo Charro, Ciudad Rodrigo, La Alberca, and Alba de Tormes (including the tomb of Santa Teresa de Jesús, a popular pilgrim attraction).

Ávila is declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The city is rich with the history of medieval knights and saints, and attracts pilgrims from around the world as the birthplace of the famous Saint Teresa de Jesús. Even the stones of the buildings contain a sense of spirituality and mysticism. Ávila is well-known for its finely preserved medieval outer walls that surround the city with a length of 2500 meters.

Half Day Tour:

The medieval outer walls, The Cathedral, the Romanesque church of Saint Vicente, and the Convent of Santa Teresa.

City tours may include:

La Encarnación Convent and Saint Tomás Convent.

Tours of the Province may include:

Arevalo, Madrigal de las Altas Torres, and Gredos.

Valladolid is located in the heart of Castilla y León on the Pisuerga River. Its history includes important events like the death of Christopher Columbus and the birth of Felipe II. Valladolid was also a temporary home for Miguel de Cervantes when the city acted as the capital of the kingdom during the beginning of the 17th century.

Valladolid contains a set of very important monuments. In fact, some of the most important sculptor`s workshops of the Barroque and Renaissance periods were located here.

Half Day Tour:

Plaza de San Pablo, the facade and patio of the Museum of San Gregorio, the Church of Las Angustias, Church of La Antigua, the facade of the University, Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor.

City tours may also include:

The National Museum of Sculpture, Cervantes’ House, and Patio Herreriano Museum (contemporary art).

Tours of the province may include:

Tordesillas, Urueña, Peñafiel, Medina del Campo, and Mediana de Rioseco.

Segovia is declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The historical center of the city, with its picturesque Castle and Cathedral, look as though they could come straight out of a fairytale. The city is located on a hilltop and surrounded by the rivers Eresma and Clamores. From an aerial viewpoint, the city appears like a great boat navigating the Castilian countryside.

Half Day Tour:

The Roman Aqueduct (one of the best preserved in the world), Calle Real, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, and the Alcazar.

City tours may include:

El Parral Monastery, The convent of San Antonio el Real, and the barrio judio.

Tours of the province may include:

Sepúlveda, Pedraza, Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, and the Royal Palace of Riofrio.

León is located directly on the path of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. It is a city of great historical importance and influence as it was the capital of the kingdom of León and seat of the reconquest for centuries. The city is filled with masterpieces of Spanish art. The Real Basilica de San Isidoro is a jewel of the Romanesque style, containing marvellous frescos in its Pantheon. The impressive Gothic Cathedral has 1800 square meters of stain glass windows. Húmedo is an enchanting medieval neighborhood filled with restaurants and tapas bars.

Half Day Tour:

Cathedral, Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, and the Hostal of San Marcos Parador.

City tours may also include:

MUSAC (Contemporary Art Museum), Plaza del Grano, and the Barrio Húmedo.

Tours of the province may include:

Astorga, Castrillo de los Polvazares, Ponferrada, and Sahagún de Campos.

Palencia is located in the heart of Castilla y León on the banks of the River Carrión. The highlight of the city is its grandiose cathedral known by locals as the “unknown beauty”. The streets of Palencia are perfect for a relaxing walk, and along the way you can discover beautiful houses, convents, churches and squares.

Half Day Tour:

The Cathedral of Palencia, Calle Mayor, The Church of San Francisco, Plaza Mayor, County Council buildings and the Santa Clara Convent.

City tours may include:

A panoramic view of the city from the statue of Cristo del Otero, Museum of the province.

Tours of the province may include:

A route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Frómista; Carrión de los Condes y Villalcázar de Sirga; tours of the Romanesque churches in the mountainous northern region of the province; and Astudillo.

Burgos is located on the pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago. The province is the birth and resting place of the famous medieval Knight El Cid, and the capital city was a center of the wool industry during the middle ages. The city`s wealthy past can now be seen in Burgos` beautiful monuments like its Cathedral, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Half Day Tour:

The cathedral, Arco de Santa María, and Cartuja de Miraflores.

City tours may include:

The Royal Monastery of Las Huelgas, Museo de la Evolución Humana.

Tours of the province may include: Atapuerca archaeological site (where the oldest human remains in Europe have been discovered); Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos; Lerma; and Covarrubias.

Situated along the banks of the Duero River, Soria is surrounded with a beautiful landscape, which has charmed poets the likes of Antonio Machado. The city’s medieval history is emphasized by its wonderful collection of Romanesque churches. Close to Soria, you can visit Numancia, an archaeological site containing the remains of a celtic village known to have resisted Roman conquests.

Half Day Tour:

The Concatedral de San Pedro, Church of Santo Domingo, and the Cloister of San Juan de Duero.

Tours may include:

The Church of San Saturio, the archaeological site of Numancia, and the Numantino Museum.

Tours of the province may include:

El Burgo de Osma, Calatañazor, and the Church of San Baudelio de Berlanga