Day 8. Stg 20. Leon

Today was our shortest walk - 11 miles.

The Puente sobre el Río Porma (1st video) was a roman built bridge. It was most likely built in the Middle Ages, probably around the 12th or 13th century. It served as a major river crossing for merchants, locals, and especially pilgrims walking toward Santiago de Compostela.

The bridge is specifically mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus (a 12th-century guidebook for pilgrims), highlighting its role as a key crossing point. Pilgrims would have had to ford many rivers otherwise, so a strong, reliable bridge like this was crucial. Some records suggest that local monasteries or towns maintained the bridge to support the pilgrim traffic.

Leon, at least the historic district, is such a unique place. León was originally founded as a Roman military camp called Legio VI Victrix, and later Legio VII Gemina. It was set up around 29 BC to guard the gold mines of northwestern Spain and to defend Roman interests. The name "León" actually comes from "Legio" (legion).

The Cathedral of León (2nd video), officially known as the Santa María de León Cathedral, is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Spain. The site originally hosted Roman baths during the Roman Empire. Later, in the 10th century, King Ordoño II of León built a palace there. After a victory over the Moors at the Battle of San Esteban de Gormaz (around 917), he decided to convert the palace into a church.

Gotta love history.Read more