Find Accommodation in the Region of Castilla y León

Castilla y León

 

The region of Castilla y León comprises a vast area, severe at some places but always charming. This is maybe the most characteristic region of North Spain. Here you can see enigmatic small villages, contemplate the calm Romanesque churches and monasteries, travel through the endless wheat fields or climb to the top of the medieval fortification walls. Not everything in Castilla y León is ascetic, Salamanca and León are very lively and attractive cities where you can truly relax and spend a restorative holiday.

Most of the nine provinces of the region are situated on plateau with altitude from 700 to 1100 m and very dry and predominantly not fertile soils. The local climate is characterized by extremes - ruthlessly high summer temperatures and long exhausting winters. This is an area of small ordinary agricultural villages, where the everyday life and traditions remain almost unchanged through the centuries. Castilla y León is the Old Castilla and Castile-La Mancha is the new territory re-conquered much later from the Moors. The landscape of Old Castilla is dominated by strongly fortified castles which gave the name of this historic area in 11th century and witness the continuous war between Christians and Muslims. There area houses decorated with heraldic symbols in the cities, once possessed by the local nobles, called "hidalgos", meaning free people. The Catholicism still have deep roots here. The pilgrim route of St. Jacob passes the northern part of Old Castilla and largely contributes for the prosperity of the local population and the constructing of the two enormous cathedrals in Burgos and León. A series of monasteries and sanctuaries mark this route too.

Formally the old kingdoms of Castilla and León unified in 1037, but the real territorial unification was made in 13th century. The Old Castilla is home land of the most pure Castilian Spanish language and its most pure form is spoken in Burgos – seat of the first counts of Castilla and capital of the temporary government of General Franco during the Civil War. Here, in this region, has been born the Spanish culture brought to the New World. The city of Salamanca has some of the most graceful architectural examples of the Renaissance art and the first university in Spain. Avila is the birth place of St. Teresa, a famous Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun. The legendary national hero El Cid was born in the area of Burgos. And in the city of Segovia you can see a picturesque royal castle with majestic towers.

In the valley of River Duero, from Zamora to Tordesillas, is one of the most famous wine producing regions of Spain. Here you can taste the best wines of Castilla y León, as well as delicious bio meats, cheeses and various sorts of beans. Despite their reputation of haughty people, the Castilians are very hospitable to the visitors. They are proud of the great historic and cultural heritage of their home land.