León - Cathedral

In the center of the Capilla Mayor is a modern retablo incorporating 15th century paintings by Nicolás Francés from the original winged altar; particularly notable is the "Entombment" on the left-hand panel. In a silver shrine (by Enrique de Arfe) in front of the high altar are the relics of the town's patron saint, San Froilán (bishop of León from 900 to 905). Other notable features are a "Pietà" by Rogier van der Weyden (on the left) and the richly carved bishop's throne.

The chapels opening off the ambulatory contain numerous handsome monuments, notable among them the richly decorated tomb (early 14th C.) of Ordoño II (d. 924). The Capilla de Santiago has very beautiful Renaissance stained glass.

The incomparable beauty of the harmonious interior is due particularly to the astonishing light effects produced by the traceried windows, which are up to 12m/39ft in height.

The south front, similar in form to the west front, with a triple doorway and large rose window, is also very fine.

The richly gilded alabaster Trascoro was the work of Esteban Jordán (1575). It is designed in such a way that it is possible to look up through an opening into the nave.

Particularly impressive is the west front with its two imposing towers, the 65m/213ft high Torre de las Campanas (on left) and the 68m/223ft high Torre del Reloj, which flank the nave with its large rose window and three doorways, richly decorated with sculpture. The finest of the doorways is the middle one, the Puerta de Nuestra Señora la Blanca, with a figure of Santa María la Blanca on the central column and a representation of the Last Judgment on the tympanum, the frieze and the archivolts. On the right-hand doorway, the Puerta de San Francisco, are figures of prophets and the Coronation of the Virgin; on the Puerta de la Regla, to the left, are the Natiivity and Childhood of Christ.

Adjoining the cloister is the Cathedral Museum: to reach it, leave the cathedral by the main doorway and turn right round the north front, as indicated by a sign. The Museum has a large collection of sacred articles and religious art, including some very valuable items. Among them are the 11th century "Lex Romana Wisigothorum", a sixth Century palimpsest, a 10th century Visigothic Bible, a crucifix by Juan de Juní (1576), works of sculpture and pictures.

The Diocesan Museum, housed in the Seminario Mayor facing the south front of the cathedral, has an interesting collection.