Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

LEÓN  121

Inside the Cathedral
The plan of the building VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
is a Latin cross. The tall
nave is slender but long, Practical Information
measuring 90 m (295 ft) by Plaza de la Regla. Tel 987 87 5770.
40 m (130 ft) at its widest. Open May–Sep: 9:30am–1:30pm
To appreciate the dazzling & 4–8pm Mon–Fri, 9:30am–noon
colours of the stained & 2–6pm Sat, 9:30–11am & 2–8pm
glass, it is best to visit Sun; Oct–Apr: 9:30am–1:30pm &
on a sunny day. 4–7pm Mon–Sat, 9:30am–2pm
Sun. 5 daily, see website. ^ 7
Museum: Open Jun–Sep:
9:30am–1:30pm & 4–8pm daily;
Oct–May: 9:30am–1:30pm &
4–7pm Mon–Sat, 9:30am–2pm
Sun. & ∑ catedraldeleon.org

Virgen Blanca
This is a Gothic
sculpture of a smiling
Virgin. The original
is kept in this
chapel. A copy
stands by the
west door.

Catedral de León’s Stained Glass
This cathedral’s great glory is its magnificent
glasswork. The 125 large windows, 57 smaller,
circular ones and three rose windows date from
the 13th to the 20th centuries. They cover an
enormous range of subjects,
from fantas tical beasts to
plants. Many depict saints
Detail of
plant motif and characters from
biblical stories. Some of
the win dows reveal fascinating details
of medieval life: La Cacería, in the north
wall, depicts a hunting scene, while
the rose window in the Capilla del
Nacimiento shows pilgrims at the tomb
of St James in Santiago de Compostela
. Stained Glass in Galicia (see pp66–7).
The windows, covering an area
of 1,800 sq m (19,350 sq ft), A large window with
are the out stand ing feature of intricate floral designs
the cathedral.

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