Astorga

Astorga was originally a Celtic settlement and later become one of the Roman strongholds in the region.
 
Astorga is the capital of the county of Maragatos, a small ethnic and cultural community with distinctive customs and architecture, in the province of León offers a rich medieval legacy, due its location at the crossroads of the Camino Frances and the Ruta de la Plata
 
The Roman city was founded in the year 14 BC and was then known as Asturica Augusta. It formed a strategic point for the transportation of precious metals on the Vía de la Plata. There are ruins of Roman baths that are still visible today.
 
The cities main monuments include it’s Catedral de Santa María de Astorga, which was started in the 15th century and not finished until the 18th century, and displays a variety of architectural styles including it’s Gothic apse and it’s Baroque style towers which depict a number of biblical scenes.
 
The gilt altarpiece by Gaspar Becerra ia a master piece of the Spanish Renaissance with its Romanesque statue of the Virgen de la Majestad., whom the cathedral is dedicated to.
 
The cathedral’s museum, Museo de Catedral has many fine exhibits, amongst these is a 15th century painting, El Puente de la Vida y la Reina Lupa depicting the burial of Saint James. Theres also the jewelled Reliquary of the True Cross and the 10th century carved casket of Alfonso III the Great.
 
Opposite the cathedral is the 19th century Palacio Espiscopal which was designed by Antoni Gaudí for Bishop Jun Bautista Grau Vallespinós from Catalonia.
 
The style of building and it’s excessive cost leds to a fall out and the building was necer consecrated as a bishops palace. Today it is home to the
 
If you visit the museum you will get the chance to view the palace’s interior which is decorated with Guadi’s stained glass and tiles.
 
On the Plaza Mayor you’ll find the 17th century Ayuntamiento, Town Hall, with it’s Baroque facade. If you are nearby on the hour you’ll witness mechanical figures of a man and woman dressed in Maragato style strike the bell.
 
Also worth a visit is the Museo del Chocolate on the Calle de Jose María Goy.
 
Layout

Astorga is easy to find your way around. The Catedral de Santa María de Astorga and the Palacio Espiscopal can be found in the north west of the old town. The Tourist office can be found on the Plaza Eduardo de Castro nearby and is open from Mon – Sat 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 – 18:00.
 

Getting There & Back

Get a flight to/from Santiago de Compostela, León or Valladolid
 
Hire a car, book a train ticket or book a bus ticket
 

Accommodation

Where to Eat

Tourist Information/ Oficina de Turismo

Post Office / Oficina de Correos

Others

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