Castile and León

Castile and León is a 2.4 million people region in the central part of Spain, in the north of the Inner Plateau. It's surrounded by La Rioja, Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Extremadura, Community of Madrid, Castile-La Mancha and Aragon in Spain and also with Portugal. The population has a mostly Catholic Christian tradition. The official languages are Spanish (with Asturleonese and Galician as protected in the municipalities; English is spoken by people working for tourism). The capital city of Castile and León is Valladolid, with other important cities like Burgos, Salamanca or León.

What can I visit in Castile and León?

Here you have a list of places in the region of Castile and León that are worth to be seen. Check them out and find out the ones you want to visit:

History

Casco de Leiro in A Coruña Archaeological and History Museum
The northwestern part of the Iberian peninsula formed a single megalithic area since 4,500 BC, with great capacity for architecture and a deep sense of religion that can be seen in the many dolmens (mámoas in Galician) spread all over Galicia. During Broze Age there was an important inmigration to current Galicia from the Castilian plateau and at the end of Iron Age, its inhabitants were identified as Gallaeci, a Celtic group of tribes that inhabited hillforts called castros (many remains of those are still visible and able to be visited). They worshiped pan-Celtic gods like Bormanus, Coventia or Lugus and their model of society is believed to have been aristocratic. During the Punic wars Gallaeci tribes were allied with Phoenicians (enabling Hannibal recruit many Gallaeci). Romans started the conquer of current Galicia because of its richness in gold and a part of it was leaded by Julius Caesar, who landed in Brigantium (current A Coruña) in 61 BC. Many of its inhabitants joined the Roman Empire auxiliar troops in place as Thrace or Dacia. In the 3rd century emperor Diocletan created the Roman province of Gallaecia.  
Pilgrim St. James statue
When the Roman Empire collapsed, around 409 AD, Gallaecia was conquered by the Suebi, creating the kingdom of Gallecia with capital in Bracara Augusta (current Braga). Although the Suebi that arrived were less than 30,000 people they controlled Gallecia till 584, when the Visigothic king Leovigild conquered it. In these years many Britons arrived to the coast of Lugo (escaping from Anglo-Saxon tribes) leaded by bishop Maeloc, creating current diocese of Mondoñedo. After the loss of the battle of Guadalete (711) Gallaecia was briefly occupied till it was freed by Alfonso I of Asturias. Around 813 happened one of the things that changed the destiny of Galicia: the discovery of the tomb of the apostle St. James in Iria Flavia (near Padrón). King Alfonso II of Asturias ordered the construction of a church to honour it, being the foundation of Santiago de Compostela (that was since then considered the 3rd Christianity pilgrim center) specially developed under Diego Xelmírez bishopric. The kingdom of Galicia was under the control of the king of León but it gained independence when Ferdinand I of León gave it to his son García II of Galicia (but shorty being back to León soberanity). Undert the kingdom of Galicia was the Count of Portugal, that became a kingdom in 1095 (just like Castile from León) under Castile and León's control till 1128. Alfonso VI of León and Castile was efectively the last king of Galicia because later it was reinstated to León (and from 1230 was part of of the Crown of Castile, under the kingdom of Ferdinand III of Castile).
Provinces of Galicia before 1833
When the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were joined under the Catholic Monarchs Galicia's gobernment were the Junta do Reyno. During the 18th century Galicia was attacked several times, like when Richard Temple captured Vigo in 1718. In those years (till 1833) the kingdom of Galicia was divided in the provinces of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Tui, Ourense, Mondoñedo, Lugo and Betanzos. As well as in other parts of Spain, when Napoleon conquered Spain, guerrilla bands were formed all over Galicia's territory. From the 1850s there was several consecutive cold winters (subsitence agriculture was the main economic activity by then) started the emigration to the rest of Spain and particulary to Uruguay or Argentina, process that continued in the 20th century. 
Rosalía de Castro
In the 19th century there was a rise in the Galician identity feeling  and the use of Galician with the movement called Rexurdimento, whose main exponents are writers like Rosalía de Castro. At the same time some political movements defending federalism or Galician nationalism started developing and, with the Second Spanish Republic, Galicia obtained autonomy (although it didn't come into use because the Spanish Civil War). When the Spanish Civil War was declared, the rebel faction got the control of Galicia quickly (because of the support of the Spanish Catholic Church and the fact that most of the population in Galicia was rural) in 1936. Franco was born in Ferrol and during his dictatorship he got some properties (like Meirás pazo) in a very controversial way, being still owned by his family). In the last years of the Francoist regime there was another rise in Galician nationalism (despite Galician was prohibited) and during the Transición, Galicia was recognised as an historic nationality and obtained autonomy again. Since then Galicia has always been managed by Partido Popular (center-right party, first leaded by Manuel Fraga and then by Alberto Núñez-Feijóo) but for some years of gobernment of Emilio Pérez Touriño (PSdG-PSOE, center-left party).

Unforgettable experiences 

This places and experiences are a must if you want to discover and understand the region of Castile and León. This is my top 7:
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
  1. Santiago de Compostela: capital city of Galicia and the end of the Way of St. James, Santiago is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and the 3rd most important for Christianity (after Jersualem and Rome) because the apostle St. James is said to be buried here. Despite not being a big city Santiago has a huge legacy and history that can be seen on its many museums, churches or simply walking its streets. It's atmosphere is simply different and sitting in Praza do Obradoiro to see groups of pilgrims arrive after long journeys is very satisfying. Its cathedral is one of the most spectacular ones in Spain. Santiago is also a great point to set your base to visit Galicia. 
    2. Cape Fisterra
  2. A Coruña: the 2nd largest city in Galicia has many things to offer, going from an important cultural offer to sport activities. A Coruña has also a lot of history, as it can be seen at Tower of Hercules (only Roman lighthouse still in use) or the city fortress. A Coruña has also many museums related to science, some interesting churches and a good culinary offer.
  3. Fisterra: the cape and town with the same villages are one of the main touristic points in Galicia due to its mixture of nature, religious meaning and mysticism. Considered by Romans as Land's End, the trail from Santiago de Compostela to Fisterra was popularised during Middle Ages as the foreword of the Way of St. James. Its landscapes, cliffs and beaches are spectacular.
    4. Lugo Roman Walls
  4. Lugo: talking about this city is talking about its Roman heritage and history. Above all of them are its Roman walls, placed in the UNESCO World Heritage List and one of the best of its kind in Europe. But not all is Roman history, it has an interesting cathedral and many other things to do and visit.
  5. Pontevedra: this city and capital city of province is quite unknown despite its beauty. It has many interesting churches in its Old Town (one of them with scallop shell shape), with is very recommended to walk and enjoy, as its fully pedestrian zone. Moreover you can take some tapas, have a drink on its many bars and enjoy the time.
    Praia das Catedrais (Catedrais beach)
  6. Mondoñedo: small calmed town with a very impressing cathedral and not very touristic. Its history is linked to the Britonns who arrive here in the 6th century. But it's also a great point to go to the coast and enjoy the spectacular and famous Catedrais beach (booking on advance in peak season) and enjoy the atmosphere of Ribadeo, by the border with Asturias.
  7. Cambados: this town is mainly known because of its wine, albariño. Here you'll be able to know its history and obviously, taste. But not all is food, it has some nice pazos and around Cambados is one of the best places to try seafood, specially in O Grove. This place also has nice beaches.

Planning your holidays

These are some possible routes you may do in Galicia to visit parts of it or discover it all. Galicia has many sightseeing points so you can choose your own route depending your time and what you want to visit. Here are some possible tours:

    a) 5 days tour

 This short journey in Galicia can start in Santiago de Compostela. Here you could stay 1 day enjoying this beautiful, historic and religious city. The 2nd day is a perfect moment to complete the Way of St. James going to Fisterra and enjoying this cape, its atmosphere and landscape. For the 3rd day it can be a great choice visiting one of the largest and most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña, where spending a day knowing it and visiting the known Tower of Hercules. The following day in the morning you can go to Pontevedra, an important city with many churches and a pedestrian Old Town that is a pleasure to walk and in the afternoon Cambados, the capital city of albariño, the main Galician wine. The fith and last day can be enjoyed in Lugo and its surroundings, enjoying its Roman heritage.

   b) 7 days tour

  This journey in Galicia can start in Santiago de Compostela. Here you could stay 1 day enjoying this beautiful, historic and religious city. The 2nd day is a perfect moment to complete the Way of St. James going to Fisterra and for the 3rd day, visiting one of the largest and most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña. The following day in the morning you can go to Pontevedra, an important city with a pedestrian Old Town that is a pleasure to walk and in the afternoon Cambados, the capital city of albariño, the main Galician wine. The fith day can be enjoyed in Lugo and its surroundings, enjoying its Roman heritage. The 6th day can be spent in Mondoñedo, discovering its cathedral and history, going later to the famous Catedrais beach and finish in Ribadeo. The 7th and last day can be enjoyed visiting Ourense and if there's some time left, the traditional medieval town of Ribadavia.

   c) 10 days tour

  This short journey in Galicia can start in Santiago de Compostela. Here you could stay 1 day enjoying this beautiful, historic and religious city. The 2nd day is a perfect moment to complete the Way of St. James going to Fisterra and for the 3rd day, visiting one of the largest and most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña. The following day in the morning you can go to Pontevedra, an important city with a pedestrian Old Town and in the afternoon Cambados, the capital city of albariño (main Galician wine). The 5th and 6th days will be spent in Vigo, spending there half a day and then visiting Baiona and Tui and the following day, in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The 7th day may be a good one to visit Ourense and if there's some time left, the traditional medieval town of Ribadavia. The 8th day is perfect to visit Sil Canyon and its villages and Monforte de Lemos, before going to Lugo on the 9th day. The 10th and last day you can visit Mondoñedo, discovering its cathedral and history, going later to the famous Catedrais beach and finish in Ribadeo in the evening.

What can I eat and drink in Castile and León?

Empanada galega
Galician food has a lot of personality and their meals are usually based on local products based in seafood and shellfish, meat especially beef and pork), potatoes, dairy products and rapini, with some particular products like Padrón peppers (small peppers). One of the most common dishes in the north of Spain and in Galician cuisine are soups and stews like caldo galego (similar to the Portuguese caldo verde), cocido galego (stronger than cocido madrileño) or callos a la gallega (beef trips with chickpeas and chorizo). Galicia is also known for its tapas and other typical dishes here are empanada galega (baked turnover consisting of pastry and filling), whose most popular filling are chorizo, variegated scallop, scallop, mussels, squid, vegetables, tuna or cod. Galicia has a bread with Denomination of Origin, pan de Cea, known for its quality.

Polbo á feira
Galicia is also a territory with an important variety of cheese, being the most important ones Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, San Simón da Costa cheese or Cebreiro one. Fish and particulary seafood are very important in Galicia, being the 1st world producer of mussels and also producer of coriander, assorted crabs, razors, scallops, zaburiñas, clams and cockles. Some examples of food with these ingridients are mariscada or polbo á feira (octopus with baked potato and paprika). Meat is also very important in Galician cuisine and some of the main dishes are chourizo com cachelo (chorizo with baked potato), lacón con grelos (Galician dried ham with rapini) or churrasco. The most important varieties of cold meat in Galicia are chorizo, ham, dried ham, androlla and botillo (meat-stuffed pork intestine).
Torta de Santiago
In Galicia some of the most important desserts are based on dairy products like leite callado (cuajada or milk curd) or requeixo (ricotta) but the most famous ones are based on almond, with cakes like torta de Santiago (traditional almond cake), torta de Mondoñedo (almond cake with glucose syrup and fruits), biscuits such as amendoados de Allariz (almond based cookie) or filloas (sweet crêpes). Another kind of cakes popular are bica (cinnamon cake).
Queimada
Talking about drinking, the most famous drink is the wine (viño) since Roman times, with many popular kinds of wine like albariño, Ribeira sacra, Ribeiro or Monterrei. Beer (ceverxa) is also quite important, with brands like Estrella Galicia, that has expanded in the rest of Spain too. There are some kind of stronger spirits like augardente (aguardiente), quemaida (traditional punch made of aguardiente flavoured with special herbs or coffee) or licor café (coffee liquor).

Useful links

 In case you want to look for more information about Castile and León (https://www.turismo.gal/inicio?langId=en_US) or its cities, towns and places, here there's a list with some pages to get it:

 
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