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The Route leaves Palencia and enters León through
Sahagún, today´s staging post. This historical
town became relevant thanks to the Route to Santiago. It
grew into an important Borough, with fairs and markets where
different products could be bought. Likewise, the town developed
Romanesque Art extensively. Pilgrims can visit the ruins
of one of the most important monasteries in the North of
the Peninsula, with large extensions of land.
At one time, coin was minted in the monastery. It also was
a prestige cultural centre, where distinguished figures
received education, including Fray Bernardino de Sahagún.
There are other monuments, including the Romanesque churches
of San Tirso and San Lorenzo, from the 12 and 13 C; the
small chapel of the Virgin of Puente; the monastery of San
Facundo; San Juan, the Trinidad and Peregrina.
The Benedictine brick Monastery is
the most remarkable of its kind. Built in the 12 C, the
monastery has an outstanding façade with precious
Romanesque capitals. In its interior presides a Christ by
Gregorio Fernández. Today, the construction houses
a museum displaying important works of art from Sahagún
and the sorrounding areas. The collection includes a processional
monstrance by Enrique de Arfe; many Renaissance and Baroque
paintings; Romanesque and Flemish sculptures; processional
monstrances from different periods; and a Churrigueresque
retable. The monastery also houses the sarcophagi with the
remains of the King Alfonso VI and his wives.
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