Page 122 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

120  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

Catedral de León

The master-builders of this Spanish Gothic cathedral
par excellence were inspired by French techniques
of vaulting and buttressing. The present structure of
golden sandstone, built on the site of King Ordoño II’s
10th-century palace, was begun in the mid-13th century
and completed less than 100 years later. It combines a
slender but very tall nave with huge panels of stained West Rose Window
glass that are the cathedral’s most magnificent feature. This largely 14th-century window
depicts the Virgin and Child,
Although it has survived for 700 years, there is concern surrounded by 12 trumpet-
now about air pollution attacking the soft stone. blowing angels.

Cathedral Museum
Pedro de Campaña’s panel,
The Adoration of the Magi, is
one of the many magnificent
treasures displayed in
the museum.
KEY
1 The 13th- to 14th-century,
cloister galleries are decorated with
Gothic frescoes by Nicolás Francés.
2 The altarpiece, includes five
original panels created by Gothic
master Nicolás Francés.
3 The choir, has two tiers of
15th-century stalls. Behind it is the
carved and gilded retrochoir, in Entrance
the shape of a triumphal arch.

. West Front
The three portals are
decorated with 13th-century
carvings. Those above the
Portada del Juicio depict
a scene from the Last
Judgment, where the
Blessed pass into paradise.
For hotels and restaurants see pp204–5 and pp217–19

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