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www.caminosantiago.com
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Monastery of San Zoilo (Carrión
de los Condes)
The Royal Monastery of San Zoilo is the oldest Romanesque
building in Carrión de los Condes. It was built over
the remains of a Roman camp and the first evidence of its
existence dates back to the year 948. The abbey has kept
the relics of saint Zoilo since 1047. In the Middle Ages
it was one of the most important abbeys; it was the seat
of the court of the kings of Castile and León and
served as a meeting place for several councils.
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Leon Cathedral
Completed in 1280, Leon Cathedral -called the "Pulchra
Leonina" for its purity of forms- is the masterpiece
of the Spanish Gothic. It was inspired by the large cathedrals
in the north of France. It was built on the site where had
stood previously a Romanesque cathedral, Ordoño II´s
palace, a Visigoth church and Roman thermae. The French
Gothic style predominates in the cathedral. This architectural
style can also be found in the cathedrals of Santiago, Toledo
and Burgos.
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San Isidoro´s Basilica
San Isidoro Basilica was built between
the years 1054 and 1067, commissioned by Fernando I and
Sancho I. Both kings decided to dedicate this new temple
to the cult of San Isidoro because the relics of the saint
had been brought to this church. It also contains the remains
of San Vicente of Avila, since 1067. The Basilica stands
over the ruins of a former church dedicated to San Juan
Bautista and San Pelayo of Cordoba.
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Astorga Cathedral (Santa María
Cathedral)
Astorga Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in Spain.
It is a fact that around 1069 a Romanesque church stood
on this site that was restored many times before it was
completed in the middle of the 13 C. The present temple
begun to be built in 1471 and it was not completed until
the 18 C. The architecture is basically Gothic, although
there are some Renaissance and Baroque features. From the
former cathedral only remain the Romanesque chapel, which
includes a small image of the Virgin that gave name to the
Cathedral.
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Astorga Episcopal Palace or Gaudi
Palace
Astorga has the privilege of housing
a work by Antonio Gaudi, the most important Modernist architect
in Spain, and one of the most famous in the world. When
the old Archbishop´s Palace was destroyed by fire
in 1886, the Bishop of the town of chocolate commissioned
Gaudi the building of a new episcopal see. The construction
of the Palace begun in 1887 and was not completed until
1893. The building comprises a cellar, ground floor, first
floor and attic.
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Ponferrada Castle
The Templars began to build the castle of Ponferrada, in
León, in 1178. The monks of the order rebuilt a small
Roman fortress that had been destroyed by the Goths. Later
they covered the original rampart with lime and pebbles.
By 1282 the small fort served as a protection for pilgrims
on their way to Santiago. After the Order was dissolved
in 1312, the castle had different owners. One of them, Pedro
Fernández de Castro, had the towers of the old fortress
restored, and, later D. Fadrique Enríquez, Duke of
Arjona, began the construction of the Tower of Rastrillo.
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Monastery of Samos (Lugo)
The Benedictine monastery of Samos,
one of the oldest in Spain, benefited from the protection
of kings and popes. Built over different periods, the abbey
became a cultural symbol of Galicia. It shows a blend of
the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
It was founded in the 6 C by San Martín Dumiense, who dedicated
it to the martyrs of Antioch, San Julián and Santa Basilisa.
Most of the present construction was built between the 16
and 18 C.
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Santa María of Melide
The town of Melide, in La Coruña, was an important
stop along the Santiago pilgrim route. The French route
and the one from Oviedo converged at Melide. The number
of monuments that can be found in the town are a testimony
to its former relevance. The Abbey of Sancti Spiritus, now
a parish church, contains some lordly sepulchres from the
Middle Ages which are worthy of note. The church of San
Pedro has a remarkable front.
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Santiago de Compostel´s Cathedral
Santiago de Compostela´s Cathedral
dominates one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world.
The four peaceful squares that sorround it -Obradoiro, Platerías,
La Quintana and Azabachería- add to the unique magnificence
of Santiago el Mayor´s resting place. In this monumental
structure, culminates the Spanish Romanesque. Its construction
begun in 1075, during the reign of Alfonso VI, and was ordered
by Bishop Diego Peláez, who wanted a large sanctuary
that could treasure the Apostle´s remains.
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Monastery church of St. Martín
Pinario
The Monastery church of St. Martín Pinario, overlooking
S. Martiño Square, is part of the historical and
architectural heritage of Santiago de Compostela. It was
built over a Medieval cloister and was consecrated in 1105
by Bishop Gelmírez. On the west façade of
the abbey predominate the cornices, which show gargoyles,
and the Plateresque front, composed like an altarpiece,
with statues and reliefs. It is flanked by two tower-shaped
structures, with pilasters, balconies and superior arcades.
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