León - Monasterio de San Marcos 
On the northwest side of León, on the banks of the Río Bernesga, is the former monastery of San Marcos, now a luxurious parador. The main (south) front, over 100m/330ft long, is unsurpassed in the richness and delicacy of its Plateresque decoration. The eastern half was built between 1533 and 1541, the western half, with the doorway and the tower, between 1708 and 1716. Over the main entrance is a Baroque figure of Santiago (St James) in his legendary role as the Moor-Slayer (Matamoros).
The site was occupied from the 12th century onwards by the mother house of the knightly Order of Santiago, which protected pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. In gratitude for their exploits the Catholic Monarchs ordered the building of a new monastery for the order.
The site was occupied from the 12th century onwards by the mother house of the knightly Order of Santiago, which protected pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. In gratitude for their exploits the Catholic Monarchs ordered the building of a new monastery for the order.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
Iglesia de San Marcos
At the east end of the Monasterio de San Marcos is the church of San Marcos (consecrated in 1541), which has beautiful choir-stalls of 1543 and sculpture by Juan de Juni and Juan de Horozco.
Provincial Archeological Museum
The sacristy (by Juan de Badajoz, 1549), the cloister and the adjoining chapter rooms are now occupied by the Provincial Archeological Museum, which has a rich collection of material. Its greatest treasure is an 11th century ivory figure of Christ; other exhibits include an altar dedicated to Diana, Roman and Celtic antiquities, sculpture, carved ivories and pictures.
