LEÓN: ROMAN LEGIONS AND THE FOOTPRINT OF THE FIRST ARTISTS

Between the murmur of the Bernesga River and the snows of the Cantabrian Mountains, Leon is an open window into two fascinating eras: the splendour of imperial Rome and the enigmas of prehistoric art.

CROSSROADS: LEON

Legio VI Victrix: The Roman Lionheart

Founded as military camp in the 1st century AD.The Roman Lion beats today in:

WallsThe oldest stone wall was erected at the end of the 1st century AD by Legio VII gemina. Later, still in Roman times and around the end of the 3rd century, another more powerful wall was erected in front of the first one. It is just over 5 m. thick, about 8 m. high and has towers. We can see its historical evolution and repairs in the Ramón y Cajal avenue.
Archaeological Crypt of Puerta Obispo. Situated on the south side of the Cathedral, it houses the remains of the Porta Principalis Sinistra of the camp of the Legio VII Gemina and also remains of the magnificent thermal baths that the camp once had.
Interpretation Centre of the Roman Lion. It consists of various thematic blocks and recreations.

History and prehistory in the Museum of León

The Museum of León houses a collection designed in the old style: a chronological and ordered journey through the history of León through objects and cultural milestones. From prehistoric times to practically the present day, with some pieces of great artistic and historical value. It houses treasures such as the Edict of Augustus and the Ara of Diana, but also tells us about an even more remote past:

Idol of TabuyoWhat hides this Neolithic figure with its 11 mysterious holes?

RELATED ROUTES:

Cave Art of the Northern Plateau

Vía de la Plata Route

EXPERIENCES

Why is León unique?

León has a fascinating past. The Roman camp of the Legio VII Gemina gave birth to the city, whose walls still whisper imperial stories. But long before that, the Tabuyo Idol reveals an ancestral ritual world that you can discover in the Museum of León.

Time Travel

Night in the Parador de San MarcosThe pleasure of sleeping in a museum rather than in a hotel with history and art.
Millenary Gastronomy: From the jerky (which has its roots in ancient Roman times) up to the wines from Bierzo (cultivated since ancient times)