This Spanish city in the north of the Iberian Peninsula is known for being the capital of the Kingdom of Castile for a long time and serving as an obstacle to the Moorish invasion of Europe. The Moors ravaged it many times, but the Spaniards rebuilt it again and again. The kings loved Burgos and built a magnificent cathedral in it, which was a must-see for any Catholic on the pilgrimage route of St. Jacob.

ON THE WAY ST. JACOB

The flourishing and glory of Burgos was greatly aided by the fact that the city was on the main pilgrimage route of medieval Europe.

The Spanish city of Burgos is located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula in an area of \u200b\u200blow hills that are located between the Cantabrian Mountains in the north and the spurs of central Meseta in the south. Burgos stretches from east to west, occupying the valley of the Arlanson River, a tributary of the Duero. Several tributaries of the Arlanson itself flow into it on the territory of the city, some dry up in the summer. Burgos is characterized by relatively cool winters for Spain and windy winters with frequent and heavy snowfalls, due to its location on a hill and off the coast.

The place where Burgos is located is one of the places where the remains of the first human ancestor in Europe were discovered: in the caves of the Atapuerca mountains, the remains of hominids were found, including the bones of Homo antecessor (human predecessor), at least 800 thousand years old. The Hominids ate grains and raw meat and did not know how to produce and store fire. The excavations in the Atapuerca area are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 712, Muslim forces invaded the Iberian Peninsula and quickly conquered most of it, except for the lands that lay north of the Cantabrian mountains. Here the Christian kingdom of Asturias was formed, which started a war for the liberation of the peninsula from the Moors. In the VIII century. Asturian troops seized territories along the Duero River and began to settle them. In 884, the King of Asturias Alfonso III the Great (848-910) ordered the Castilian Count Diego Rodriguez to build a fortress on the hill of the right bank of the Arlanson River, which was to become an obstacle to the Moorish raids on Castile and Leon.

The fortress quickly grew to the size of a medieval city and became the center of the county of Burgos. During the feudal wars that accompanied the Reconquista, in the second half of the 10th century, Burgos became the capital of Castile. The emergence of a powerful fortress on the borders of the possessions of the Moors could not but cause their aggression, and they repeatedly destroyed it in the X-XI centuries, after which the city had to be revived literally from scratch.

In 1035, Castile was proclaimed a kingdom, Burgos became its capital, all the kings of Castile of the 11th century were crowned in it. In 1072 Alfonso VI the Brave (1043-1109) became the ruler of the united kingdom of Castile and Leon. After the capture of Toledo in 1085, the capital was moved there, but Burgos remained the seat of the king until the early 17th century.

In 1075, King Alfonso founded the Royal Church of the Virgin Mary. The current church in its place was built in the Gothic style in the XIII-XIV centuries.

By the XI century. The ancient Roman road from La Rioja through Burgos to Galicia was restored, which became the basis of the famous St. James Way - a pilgrimage route from the south of France to the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela. An endless stream of pilgrims enriched Burgos: there were more than 300 shelters for pilgrims in the city alone.

In 1221, in the center of the old city, on the site of the former Romanesque church, at the behest of King Ferdinand III and with the blessing of Bishop Mauricio, the construction of a cathedral began, which became a must-see place on pilgrimage along the path of St. Jacob. The remains of the Spanish national hero Rodrigo de Bivar, better known as El Cid, who was born in Burgos, and his wife lie in the temple. There is also Tizona: a sword that supposedly belonged to Sid. The cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Arlanson River divides the city in two. On the right bank is the historic center of Burgos - an old area of \u200b\u200bless than 1 km2 with blocks around the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Burgos. The old town has preserved its medieval irregular layout. Its western border is the hill on which the Burgos fortress rises. The left bank - houses of ordinary urban development.

THE RISES AND FALLS OF THE CAPITAL OF NORTHERN SPAIN

The city of Burgos is often called the metropolitan center of the north of the country, recalling its glorious history. But there were many black pages in this story, and more than once the city found itself on the verge of complete destruction.

B XII-XIII centuries. in Castile, places began to be created everywhere - unions of noble cattle owners: to settle issues with pastures, drive cattle and protect their interests in neighboring territories. In 1273, the localities united into an Honorary Council of Localities, which met in Burgos and received the privilege granted by King Alfonso X the Wise to drive herds throughout the country.

Wool was exported to France, Holland and England. The money received from trading operations turned Burgos in the XIII-XVI centuries. to one of the largest trade and financial centers in the country. And in the XIV century. the city became one of the meeting places for the Spanish version of the parliament - the Cortes.

For a long time, Burgos was considered a city where, thanks to the rise of the economy, social problems were almost absent or were quickly suppressed. The picture of general well-being completely changed in the middle of the 14th century: the country was covered by a plague epidemic that claimed a third of the population of all of Europe. The pilgrimage path of St. James fell into decay, as did trade. The population found a solution to the problems in the Jewish pogroms. Many Jewish merchants lived in Burgos. According to Castilian laws, only Christians could occupy administrative positions in cities. Many Jews were baptized (they were called converso) and married poorer nobles, concentrating a lot of power in their hands. Pogroms took place more than once, and in the middle of the 15th century. in Burgos, a law was passed prohibiting people with Jewish blood from holding high positions.

Despite epidemics, wars and social upheavals, a lot of construction was carried out in the city. In the second half of the 15th century. the Palace of Constables was built, which stands in the center of the city, which became the site of important historical events. In 1497, the Catholic kings received Christopher Columbus there. The discoverer of the New World argued that he had indeed reached Asia, when in fact it was the island of Cuba. In 1506, the king of Castile, Philip I the Handsome, died in the palace, and from here began the famous funeral procession of his widow Juana I the Mad.

The city suffered the next shock in 1520. The townspeople were extremely dissatisfied with the policy of King Carlos I (1500-1558), who proclaimed himself king against the wishes of the Cortes. In addition, the Spaniards did not like the dominance of foreigners at court. Burgos became one of the cities that joined the uprising of the komuneros (commoners). However, the nobles of Burgos, who were at the head of the uprising, secured the king's guarantee that they would retain privileges in the wool trade, and betrayed the rebels. The uprising was suppressed, but Burgos was almost the only city where demonstrative mass executions were not arranged.

By the beginning of the XVI century. The Reformation drastically reduced the popularity of the path of St. Jacob. Sheep's wool remained the main source of income. Trade with the New World also grew. But in the 17th century. the Spanish economy plunged into deep crisis due to the failed royal policy. Burgas began to fade away gradually.

The beginning of the 19th century brought wars and the French occupation to Burgos. In 1812, the English general Arthur Wellington tried to take Burgos by storm for almost a month, but then he left it. In the 1830-1840s. Burgos found itself at the center of the Carlist Wars: supporters of Prince Carlos advocated the preservation of the old city privileges.

The Great Depression of 1929 exacerbated the confrontation between the Republicans - supporters of reforms and the Phalangists - adherents of the old order. The leader of the Phalangists, General Francisco Franco, raised an uprising, and during the civil war of 1936-1939. Burgos was occupied by the Phalangists, turning the city into their headquarters. After the end of the war and until October 18, 1939, Burgos was the capital of all of Spain.

Currently it is the tourist center of northern Spain.

FUN FACTS

■ Back in the XI century. Burgos became a major craft center. However, unlike most European large cities, craft workshops have not developed here as a form of social self-organization of artisans. The artisans were disunited, and the "free trade" flourished. The reason was the stubborn resistance of the Castilian lords, who sagaciously saw in the guild movement a threat to their power and income. Individual artisan activists were simply drowned in Arlanson, ascribing to them the spread of heresy.

■ Burgos Cathedral is the third largest in Spain after the Cathedrals of Seville and Toledo: it is 84 m long and 59 m wide.

■ In the main nave of the cathedral, at a height of 15 m, there is a clock with a figurine of a character from the folk puppet theater nicknamed Papamoska, or the Simpleton. The figurine starts to move when it is time to beat off the next hour. The figurine opens its mouth and controls the bell beater with its right hand. In general, such a device is rather unusual for the interior of a temple, and even more so for a cathedral.

■ The most impressive part of the city fortress is the limestone underground, where in the XII-XIII centuries. a well was dug with a depth of 61.5 m and a diameter of 1.74 m. Next to it, a staircase of six 10-meter vertical cylinders with a diameter of 1.4 m was built to access the bottom of the well to keep it clean.

■ In 884, according to the Castilian and Asturo-Leonean annals, the Castilian Count Diego Rodriguez Porcellos "settled Burgos." It is believed that this is the date of the founding of the city, but, apparently even under the Visigoths, a settlement already existed here. For instance,
in 860 an Arab historian mentions the city of Burchi in his work, which is probably the first mention of Burgos. Nevertheless, the official Spanish historical chronology insists precisely on the date 884, as the time of the founding of Burgos.

■ In 1080, a church council was held in Burgos, where, at the insistence of the Pope, the old Mosarabian rite of worship was to be replaced by a Roman one. Mosarabs were called Christians who for a long time lived in the lands subject to Muslims and were subjected to the strongest Arab influence. There were many Mosarabs, including among the clergy, and they fiercely resisted the replacement of rituals, fearing that they would lose their cultural identity. The fate of the ceremony was agreed to be decided by a knightly duel between a Mozarab and a supporter of the Pope. Mosarab won. The Pope did not calm down, and in 1085 another test was made in Burgos. Scrolls describing the rituals were thrown into the fire, and the one that was Mosarabian did not burn. King Alfonso VI got tired of these, as he called them, "games", and the monarch simply ordered to declare the victory of the Roman rite.

ATTRACTIONS

■ Historical: excavations of hominids (caves of the Atapuerca mountains, about 800 thousand years old), Burgos fortress (X-III centuries, rebuilt XVIII-XIX centuries), Lepers' Bridge (2nd half of the XII century), Palace Constable (1470-1480s), Arch of St. Mary (1536-1553), Castilfale Palace (1550s).
■ Iconic: Royal c. Virgin Mary (1075, XIII-XIV centuries). Royal convent of St. Mary de las Huelgas (1187), cathedral. Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Burgos (1221-1567), St. Clara convent (XIII-XV centuries), c. St. Stephen (ate th. XIII - early XIV century), convent of St. Dorothea (1387-1470), c. St. Egidius (XIV century), Carthusian convent de Miraflores (founded in 1442).
■ Architectural: Cassa del Cordon Palace (15th century), Town Hall (1791), Espolon Boulevard (18th-19th centuries), Palace of the Captaincy General (1904-1907), Big Market Square.
■ Cultural: Main Theater of Burgos (1843-1858), Museum of Burgos (founded in 1846, building 1545).

NUMBERS

Area: 107.08 km2.
Population: 176 608 (2016 est.).
Population density: 1649.3 people / km2.
Lowest point: 827 m, the bank of the Arlanson river.
Average height above sea level: 859 m.
Highest point: 997 m, Las Lomas.
Distance: 250 km north of Madrid.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: north of Spain.
Administrative affiliation: district of Alfos de Burgos, province of Burgos, autonomous community of Castile and Leon.
City status: 884
Language: Spanish.
Ethnic composition: Spaniards.
Religion: Catholicism.
Currency unit: Euro.
Rivers: Arlanson, Vienna.
Airport: Burgos Villafria International.

Atlas. The whole world is in your hands №376

In the northern part of the Meseta plateau, there were once two independent kingdoms - Leon and Castile (Castilla), which now constitute a single autonomous region of Spain - Castile and Leon.

Wine region of Castile and Leon

The Kingdom of Asturias, which later received the name Leon (after the name of its capital), was formed in 718, shortly after the start of the Arab invasion. As you know, the Moors conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula, but their possessions were in its south and southeast. This kingdom was one of the few surviving Christian citadels; accordingly, there was no ban on winemaking. However, for the time being, the vineyards were not given the attention they deserved - after all, there was a war. After all, it is the formation of Asturias (Leon) that historians consider to be the commemoration of the beginning of the Reconquista. Castile, whose name comes from the word "fortress", was originally a county that was formed as part of León. In 1035 it became an independent kingdom, and after a while it became part of the united kingdom of Castile and Leon. The end of the 15th century became significant in the history of Spain - it was then that the "Catholic kings" - Isabella of Castile (Queen of Castile and Leon) and Ferdinand of Aragon were married. They owe the main merit to the unification of the Spanish lands and their liberation from Moorish rule ... in fact, their victories are not limited to this. For example, they played an important role in the discovery of America, endorsing the Columbus expedition and thus initiating the colonization of western lands.

Isabella and Ferdinand have done a lot to develop the culture of wine. By their will, monasteries arose on the liberated lands, which, in turn, began to actively promote winemaking (just as it happened in other European countries).

The development of local wines was facilitated, in particular, by the fact that the city of Valladolid for several centuries (until the 16th century) was the capital of Spain. Accordingly, there were both the royal residence and the court; aristocrats already then paid tribute to the wines of Castile and Leon. At that time, laws were enacted here to regulate the production of wine. After Valladolid lost its status as a capital, Castilian wines had a hard time. However, one can hardly say that winemaking here has fallen into decay - rather, it has faded into the background for a while.

The landscape of Castile-Leon is flat and monotonous. The monotony of the relief is only occasionally disturbed by small hills.

Towns and towns are small here. Local residents are engaged in agriculture, but it is poorly developed. The climate of the region is influenced by several factors: distance from the sea, surrounded by mountains and the fact that Meseta is located at an altitude of about 600 m above sea level. Castilla Leon is one of the driest regions in Spain. Winters are harsh and long here, while summers are not very hot, short and dry.

If you look at the map of Spain, you can see that its capital - Madrid - is located exactly in the center of the country. And just north of Madrid is Castilla y Leon, one of the 17 Spanish autonomous regions. The territory of this region is quite extensive and stretches from the border with Portugal in the west to Rioja and Aragon in the east. Castile-Leon has beautiful gardens, picturesque plains and low mountains; these are the ancient fortresses of Segovia and Avila and the monumental cathedrals of Burgos and Valladolid; this is the famous University of Salamanca, whose ancient walls remember Cervantes and Lope de Vega. Castile-Leon is the cradle of the Reconquista, a movement aimed at reclaiming the territories of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. From here comes the legendary Sid Campeador, whose name means to the Spaniards no less than to the Russians the name of Alexander Nevsky. At the same time, Castile-Leon is today one of the most important agricultural regions in Spain. And one of the most (if not the most) significant places in its economy is wine.

Nowadays, it is here that some of the most famous wines in Spain are produced. Today there are five D.O. in Castile-Leone. (names of controlled by origin):

• Bierzo ...
• Ribera del Duero ...
• Rueda ...
• Cigales ...
• Toro ...

Map :: Castile and Leon wine region

Wine region of Spain (Castile and Leon) - D.O. Bierzo
The territory of this D.O. located in a valley surrounded by the Cantabrian mountains and the mountains of Leon. Only in the southwest the mountains are interrupted, giving way to a small valley of the Seal River, thanks to which the influence of the Atlantic penetrates into Bierzo. Therefore, the climate of Bierzo ...

Wine region of Spain (Castile and Leon) - D.O. Ribera del Duero
Undoubtedly, this most important D.O. Castile and Leon is also one of the most prestigious wine regions in Spain. So, it is here that the legendary Vega Sicilia estate is located, whose wines became famous in the 19th century and remain to this day.

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Autonomous community Castile and Leon, which once represented two separate kingdoms, today is located in the northwest, in close proximity to the border with, forming a single area. Here the architecture of ancient cities and flat natural landscapes intertwine with each other, at times diluted by low green hills.

Features of the

The region consists of 9 provinces with their own administrative centers. These include Avila, Burgos, Leon, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora. Each of the provinces is subdivided into districts and cities. Agriculture is of great importance for the economy of Castile and Leon, which is expressed in the abundance of agricultural land, vineyards and pastures. The monotony of landscapes makes the external appearance of the region somewhat monotonous, but the beauty of ancient buildings, in the form of medieval castles, cathedrals and monasteries, as well as other striking sights in its cities, largely smoothes this picture, allowing you to enjoy a rich excursion program. The fauna is also extremely diverse here, including the presence of Iberian wolves, brown bears, wild boars, roe deer, foxes, squirrels, as well as various species of birds and other representatives of flora and fauna. Although the area is not one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, it also has a fair amount of charm and a lot of pleasant emotions for travel lovers.

general information

The territory of the region covers an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 94,000 square meters. km, taking the 1st place in the country for this indicator. The population is about 2.5 million people. Residents speak Castilian (Spanish). Local time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. The time zone is UTC + 1 and UTC + 2 in summer. Official site www.jcyl.es.

A brief excursion into history

Like many other territories of today's Spain, in ancient times these lands were inhabited by Celtic tribes, and in 201 BC, after the victory over Hannibal, the Romans became the new rulers of the entire Iberian Peninsula. From the 5th century, the power of Rome began to gradually fade away and various sections of its border began to break through the tribes of barbarians. In 411, the division of the territory took place when Castile and Leon were divided between the Romans and the Suevians. After the fall of the empire, the area was first conquered by the Visigoths and then by the Arabs. In 718, north of the Cantabrian mountains, the Christians created the state of Asturias, which began the process of the Reconquista. During this period, the lands of the region were literally depopulated due to devastating wars, and the Moors built many fortresses designed to protect against the Asturians. During the XI-XII centuries, the kingdoms of Castile and Leon united twice, but both times eventually again formed separate states. The final unification of the two crowns happened in 1230, during the reign of Ferdinand III. The following centuries were marked by political upheavals, epidemics and wars. In the 19th century, the region experienced significant economic growth, which significantly raised the socio-cultural level of the population. Castile and Leon received the status of autonomy in the early 80s of the last century.

Climate

The region is characterized by a continental-Mediterranean climate. The average air temperature in the winter months is +5 degrees, and in summer it rises to +20, while the heat is not frequent. Precipitation falls predominantly in mountainous areas from November to March, and summers, especially in the lowlands, are usually dry and sunny. You can come here at any time of the year. In winter, you can ski here from the picturesque slopes of the Cantabrian mountains, and in summer take unforgettable walks along rivers and lakes, breathing in the life-giving air, saturated with the fresh aromas of herbs and plants.

How to get there

The region's largest international airport is 10 km away. Also, flights from different European cities are accepted by airports, and.

Transport

The important railway junctions of Castile and Leon are Miranda de Ebro and Ponferrada. In addition, all areas are connected with each other by bus service. Taxis run around the clock on the roads of the region, but if you wish, you can always use car rental services.

Major cities

The capital of Castile and Leon is played along the banks of the Pisuerga River. Several large factories are located here, as well as a number of interesting sights worth seeing. In addition, the city hosts one of the oldest film festivals in Europe, thanks to which such outstanding personalities as Andrzej Wajda, François Truffaut, Federico Fellini, Luis Buñuel and other celebrities have achieved world fame. The ancient city, which once had the status of the capital of the kingdom of the same name, attracts with its ancient buildings and high fortress walls, erected centuries ago. The historical center of the city, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is also an extremely interesting object for research. The most interesting cities in the region are also Avila and Salamanca.

Attractions and entertainment

Among the most famous architectural structures of the region are the Basilica of St. Isidore and the Monastery of St. Mark in León, the Roman aqueduct and the Alcazar castle in Segovia, the Old and New cathedrals of Salamanca, the majestic fortified walls of the Old City and exquisite palaces in Avila, the Church of San Pablo and the Christopher Columbus Museum. in Valladolid. In various areas there are many medieval castles of interest to lovers of antiquities. Of great importance for the residents of the region are the numerous festive events held in many cities throughout the year. Among the most popular, it is worth noting the feast of the Baptism of Christ in Baños de Serrato, the carnival in the city of Cuellara, which takes place during Holy Week, the August bull race in Toro, the Palencian rowing slalom festival in Alar del Rey, the bull carnival in Ciudad Rodrigo and of course the Valladolid International Film Festival, held since 1956. On April 23, the region celebrates the Day of Castile and Leon. There are quite a lot of opportunities for exciting leisure activities in the region, so it is never boring here.

Kitchen

Considering that Castile and Leon is the breadbasket of Spain, the variety of dishes presented in the local restaurants is extremely diverse. First of all, Castilian cuisine is famous for grilled meats, excellent wines, gourmet sausages and cheeses, as well as an abundance of sweets. The most common dish in the province of Leon is considered to be the "botillo" soup, in Soria "Sopas", in Burgos pork blood sausage with onions, rice and spices - "Morsilla de Burgos", in Palencia the vegetable stew "Menestra de Verduras". In the valley of the Duero River, as well as in the Toro, Rueda and Cigales regions, excellent wines are produced.

Shopping

In shops, souvenir shops and markets of the cities of the region, guests are invited to purchase numerous goods for every taste, from clothes and jewelry to exquisite wines and delicious sweets, packed in beautiful gift boxes.

Castile and Leon is a classic Spanish province that embodies the culture and traditions of the local population that have developed over the years. Here you can fully immerse yourself in an unforgettable provincial atmosphere and get a lot of vivid impressions from your stay in this picturesque agricultural region.

Castile and Leon - the largest autonomous region in Spain, was formed in 1983 g. Region area – 94 223 sq. km. Population - more 2,5 million people (6th place in Spain). The Autonomous Region of Castile and Leon includes 9 provinces: Avila, Burgos, Valladolid, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Zamora, Segovia and Soria. All of these territories in the past belonged to the Kingdoms of León and Castile. In the Middle Ages, as new territories were conquered, 6 the provinces that are now part of Castile and León began to be called - "Old Castile"... This historical area in the past also included Rioja and Cantabria.
The autonomous region of Castile and Leon lies along the Duero (Douro) river in the northern part of Central Meseta and borders Asturia, Cantabria and the Basque Country (north), Rioja and Aragon (east), Castile-La Mancha, Comunidad de Madrid , Extremadura (south), Galicia and Portugal (west). The functions of the capital are performed by valladolid... The Supreme Court of the Autonomy is located in Burgos.
23 April is declared Day of Castile and León.
The last edition of the Statute of the Autonomous Region was adopted in 2007 g.

Geography and Climate

Relief of Castile and León defines the plateau of Central Meseta, which is surrounded by mountain ranges of the Central, Cantabrian and Iberian Systems. The average height of Meseta is 800 m above sea level.
Cantabrian system lies in the north of the autonomous region, in the provinces of Leon, Palencia and Burgos. The mountains of this system are cut in two by the Pancorbo gorge, which has long been used for communication with the Basque Country.
In the east and southeast of the autonomous region, there are sierras (mountain formations) related to Iberian system... The main peak of this system is mount Moncayo (Moncayo) is located in the province of Soria. In the northwest of the region lie the Zamora Mountains with heavily eroded peaks.
Central System divides Meseta into two parts (north and south) and is the natural border between Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha. Castile and León includes the eastern slopes of the Sierra de Gata and Sierra de Gredos, as well as the western two other mountain ranges, the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Sierra de Ayllón).
In the course of geological evolution in the Meseta area, strong fractures of the earth's crust occurred, as a result of which low mountains of leona (montes de León) and also appeared thermal springs in the districts of Almeida de Sayago, Boñar, Calabor, Caldas de Luna, Castromonte, Cucho, Gejuelo del Barro, Morales de Campos, Valdelateja and Villarijo.
The largest and most important river in Castile and León is the Duero... Its origins are in the Picos de Urbión area, Soria province. The total length of Duero is 897 km. The river flows into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Porto (Portugal) under the name Douro. The natural border between the two Pyrenees states runs along the course of this river. There are many lakes in Castile and Leone. The most famous of them: Black Lagoon (Laguna Negra) in Soria (Peaks of Urbion), Large lagoon (Laguna Grande) in the Sierra de Gredos, Lake Sanabria (Lago de Sanabria) in Zamora, Laguna de la nava in Palencia (Nava en Palencia). In recent years, many reservoirs have been created, which are filled with melting snow in the mountains and rains.

Climate of Castile and León - generally characterized as Mediterranean continental. Its distinctive features are long and cold winters (average temperature - + 4-7 C) and a short dry and hot summer (average temperature - + 19-22 C). The average rainfall in the region is up to 500 mm per year.
Due to the fact that the relief of Castile and León is very heterogeneous, the climatic realities in certain regions of the autonomy deviate greatly from the average values. The least amount of precipitation falls in the east of the province of Zamora. But in the western regions of the León mountains and in the north, in the zone of the Cantabrian System, the annual precipitation rate in 3 times ( 1500 mm) exceeds the average rate. However, the climate of this part of Castile and León already belongs to the Atlantic type.

Historical facts

The history of the territories that are now part of the Autonomous Region of Castile and Leon is rich in a wide variety of events and is very closely intertwined with the history of the entire Iberian Peninsula. After all, the lands on which the Kingdoms of Leon, Castile and Galicia existed in the past have become the cradle of today's Spain and Portugal.

The history of the region during the heyday and decline of the Roman Empire and the subsequent period of Visigothic rule overlaps with the history of other regions of Spain. The main events start later - in VIII century, when conquerors from North Africa arrived on the Iberian Peninsula. They subjugated almost the entire territory of the Visigothic kingdom, with the exception of remote lands in the north, in the mountains of Cantabria. It was here that the Visigothic nobility fled from the Muslims, who soon proclaimed their own kingdom - Asturias.
Having fortified in these places, the Visigoths began to fight for the return of the lost possessions. Already in the middle IX century, under King Ordoño I, the city of Leon was included in the Kingdom of Asturias. Astorga, Tui (Galicia) and Amaya were also important strongholds on the border with Al-Andalus at that time. The father's business of expanding the borders of the kingdom was continued by his son - Alfonso III of Asturias, nicknamed "El Magno" (The Great). He managed to advance to the banks of the Duero River and occupy the cities of Toro and Zamora. After death Alfonso III, The Kingdom of Asturias, according to Visigoth custom, was divided among his children. As a result, two more independent Kingdoms appeared: Leon and Galicia. Kingdom of Galicia did not last long, since its king - Ordoño, gets Kingdom of Leon in 913 (after the death of the elder brother). He unites the crowns, transfers the capital to the city of Leon and from that moment is called Ordoño II of León.

Around the same time (mid-9th century) arose county of Castile, with the capital in Burgos. It was originally a vassal to the Kingdom of Leon, but in 1028 the county of Castile passes to the king of Navarre Sancho III... IN 1037 Mr. Castilian Count Fernando (son of Sancho III) opposed King Leon Bermudo IIIwho dies in the Battle of Tamaron. Fernando same in 1038 Mr. becomes the new king of Leon. After death Fernando I, Castile received kingdom status and seceded Sancho, the eldest son. Father's favorite, middle brother, Alfonsobecame king of Leon and, accordingly, the eldest in the clan. Younger son, Garcia, was content with Galicia. Zamora Fernando I left a daughter - Urraca... Then, as usual in a good historical novel, the brother went after the brother. First, the elders were taken away from Garcia and divided Galicia among themselves, and then began a war with each other. Good luck and a well-trained army of the famous hero of the folk epic - Castilian knight Sid helped Sancho capture Leon. Alfonso VIwith an army he took refuge with his sister in Zamora. In the siege of this city, luck turned against Sanchoand he was killed, and Alfonso VIunited Leon and Castile under one crown. a little while later Alfonso VIeven got from the hands of the pope Gregory VII honorary title "Emperor of the Spanish lands". IN 1157 after death Alfonso VII, the kingdoms of Castile and Leon were divided again. Castile got Sancho IIIand Leon Fernando II... The "merit" of the final unification of the two kingdoms "in the same hands" belongs to Fernando III "Saint"which in 1217 g. received the crown of Castile (mother's inheritance), and in 1230 and the crown of Leon, but already contrary to the will of his father - Alfonso IX... After this, the kingdoms of Leon and Castile became integral parts Crowns of Castile. Fernando III "Saint"Actively continued the" recapture "of land from the Moors. Under him, the possessions of the Crown of Castile spread far to the south. Cordoba, Murcia, Jaén and Seville were conquered.
In subsequent 200 years ( XIII-XIV c.), there were repeated unsuccessful attempts to separate Leon from Castile.

Curious historical fact - representative body - Cortes appeared in Castile and Leon earlier than in other European kingdoms (for the first time they were convened in 1188 in the city of Valladolid). The influence of the Cortes on all aspects of the life of the kingdom and the monarch's family was very great. So, in the acts of the meeting of the Cortes in Valladolid (1256), it is indicated that the king's family has the right to spend no more than 150 Marvedi a day, has no right to entertain strangers and must behave "appropriately".

IN 1367 The Crown of Castile passes to a new dynasty - Trastamara ... Its first representative was Enrique (Henry II), illegitimate son Alfonso XI "Fair"... A protracted war between him and the rightful king Pedro I the Cruel ended in favor Enriquenot only thanks to the military assistance of the Aragonese king, but also due to the support from the Castilian nobility and city dwellers. To consolidate your power in Castile Enrique in the future, it was necessary to defeat the armies of two more contenders for the throne: Fernando I of Portugal and Juana de Ganta (John of Gaunt), Duke of Lancaster (husband of the Infanta Constance, daughter of Pedro I).

IN 1469 d. two representatives of the Trastamara dynasty - Isabella of Castile and Fernando II of Aragonese(Catholic Kings) entered into a secret marriage, which resulted in the unification of the Crowns of Aragon and Castile and the emergence of the Kingdom of Spain. Before becoming Queen of Castile ( 1474 g.), Isabella had to fight with a rival known in history as Juana la Beltraneja.
IN 1520 – 21 biennium under the grandson of Catholic Kings - the emperor Charles V(known as Charles I in Spain) an event occurred that left a deep mark on the history of Castile and León. It got the name "War of the Communeros"... The exact reason why the inhabitants of cities revolted in almost all of Castile is not precisely established, but it is known that the townspeople opposed the domination of foreigners in the royal administration, who arrived from Austria with Charles. The whole country was divided into two parties of opponents and supporters of the king. The first performed under the slogans: "Santiago and freedom!", And the second - "Santa Maria and Carlos". At first, the communeros had a significant advantage, but Karl managed to win over the aristocrats to his side. At the Battle of Villalar (now Villalar de Communeros), the royal forces inflicted a decisive defeat on the rebels and captured their leaders. Now, the day the battle took place has been declared a national holiday of Castile and León. The leaders of the uprising were executed at the beginning 1522 g.
After the reform of the state structure and the division of the Kingdom of Spain into provinces ( 1833 d) the kingdoms of Leon and Castile cease to exist as separate administrative-territorial units.
During the First Republic ( 1873-74 biennium), a project was considered to create a federal state on the territory of Castile and León, which was to include 11 provinces along the Duero River. The republic soon fell and these plans did not materialize. Separatist sentiments arose in the region and subsequently, but supporters of regionalism were especially active in 1931 – 36 biennium under the Second Republic. Franco's victory shattered their hopes. After the death of the dictator and the beginning of the democratization process, various movements arose that advocated the creation of an autonomous region of Leon, which would include three provinces: Leon, Salamanca and Zamora. However, in 1983 the autonomous region of Castile and Leon was formed, which included 3 provinces of the historical region Leon and 6 - historical region Old Castile (Castilla Vieja).

Tongue

The official language in the Autonomous Region of Castile and Leon is Spanish (Castellano). However, there is also a special dialect of Spanish, which in this autonomy is called "leones". In the areas bordering Galicia (Bierzo and Sanabria), Galician is spoken. In the region of Rebollar (Salamanca), the dialect of Estremeno, the so-called "Abla de Rebollar", is widespread.

Administrative territorial structure

Castile and Leon divided into 9 provinces: Avila (Ávila), Burgos(Burgos), Valladolid (Valladolid), Leon(León), Palencia (Palencia), Salamanca (Salamanca), Zamora (Zamora), Segovia (Segovia) and Soria (Soria). Their capitals are the cities of the same name. Border with Galicia has a special status bierzo area (Comarca de El Bierzo), due to its "geographical, social, historical and economic characteristics", is governed by the local Comarca Council (Consejo Comarcal del Bierzo).

The authorities of the Autonomous Region of Castile and Leon are:
Cortes of Castile and Leon (Cortes de Castilla y León) - the highest legislative body (local parliament). Their location is Valladolid.
Junta of Castile and Leon (Junta de Castilla y León) - the highest executive body (government), located in Valladolid. It is composed of the President (Presidente de la Junta), vice presidents and advisers (consejeros).
Supreme Court of Castile and Leon (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y León) - the highest judicial body of the autonomous region. The meeting is held in Burgos.

Transport system

Railway
The railway network in Castile and León is quite extensive and is operated by several companies: ADIF / RENFE, FEVE, Ferrocarril MSP. The main lines that run through the territory of the autonomy connect Madrid with Galicia and the coast of the Bay of Biscay. The Paris - Lisbon train route runs through the territory of Castile and León.

Lines ADIF / RENFE (ADIF / RENFE): Madrid - Irún / Basque Country; Madrid - Segovia (Madrid - Segovia); Madrid - Burgos (Madrid - Burgos); Castejón de Ebro - Bilbao (Castejón de Ebro - Bilbao / Basque Country); Venta de Baños - La Coruña (Galicia); Palencia - Santander (Cantabria); Leon - Gijón (Leon - Gijón / Asturias); Medina del Campo - Santiago de Compostela / Galicia; Medina del Campo - Fuentes de Oñoro; Torralba - Soria (Torralba - Soria); Madrid - Valladolid (Madrid - Valladolid).
Lines of FEVE and other companies: Leon - Bilbao (León - Bilbao); Cercedilla - Cotos and Ponferrada - Villablino.

Car roads.
The Autonomous Region is an important communications hub between the north of Spain, Madrid and the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Highways connecting the rest of Europe with Portugal also pass through it.
The most important highways of Castile and Leon:
A-1 or Autovia del Norte (Madrid - Burgos);
A-6 or Autovia del Noroeste (Madrid - A Cornia / Galicia);
A-62 or Autovia de Castilla - connects the main cities of the region: Salamanca, Valladolid, Palencia and Burgos. From it in the Palencia area, the expressway (A-67) branches off to Santander (Cantabria).

Airports
From Villanubla Airport (Valladolid) there are regular flights abroad and other cities in Spain. Leon Airport (La Virgen del Camino) is still used only for domestic passenger traffic, as is Salamanca Airport (Matacan). In 2008, the Villafria airport in Burgos opened.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of Castile and León is distinguished by a huge variety. It is even impossible to find one traditional dish in it - common for the entire autonomous region. Each province boasts its own culinary delights. Love for garlic is the only thing that unites all residents of the region. It is used in almost all recipes and is also used to make garlic soup (Sopa de Ajo). The diet of the inhabitants of Castile and León contains: beef, lamb, pork, fish, vegetables and cereals, forest mushrooms, chestnuts, pine nuts, and cheeses. Here they love to feast on frog legs, shells and river crabs. Previously, they were found in many in the estuaries of the region's rivers, and now crabs are specially grown.
The local wines produced in the zones of the so-called. controlled origin of wine. This is the valley of the Duero River ( DO Ribera del Duero), as well as the Toro areas ( DO Toro), Rueda ( DO Rueda) and Cigales ( DO Cigales).

Some traditional recipes from the provinces of Castile and León:

Leon
Botillo (Botillo) - the most common dish of the Bierzo (Leon), which in the past was eaten almost daily in winter. This smoked sausage is made from a mixture of ribs, tail and tongue with the addition of pimenton (paprika), oregano, garlic and water. Botillo is used to prepare broth, in which vegetables (usually cabbage and potatoes) are then boiled. After the vegetables are ready, the sausage is thrown into the pan again and this "soup" is served on the table.
Kosido maragato (soup) made from chickpeas, pork ribs and legs, potatoes, herbs and some other ingredients. The main feature of this dish is that it is eaten “on the contrary” - first meat, then chickpeas with potatoes, then greens and finishing the meal with broth.
Soria
Sopas (soup) kanas (Sopas canas). The basis of this dish is bread and milk (goat or sheep). Fried garlic and pimenton (paprika) are used as a dressing.
Níscalos are delicious mushrooms that grow in the Almazan area. In autumn they are picked and fried in olive oil with potatoes and garlic.
Zamora
Trucha (trout) sanabresa (Trucha sanabresa) - cooked in fish broth and olive oil with pimenton (paprika).
Palencia
Menestra de verduras(Menestra de verduras) or vegetable stew. The most famous dish of the province. It contains: green (string) beans, carrots, abas (large beans) and other ingredients. Canned minesters are sold throughout Spain.
Burgos
Morsilla de Burgos (Morcilla de Burgos) - Pork blood sausage with onions, rice and spices. It is usually fried in olive oil before serving. Sometimes they are fried in breadcrumbs or in an egg.

Holidays

Holidays in Castile and Leone, as in other regions of Spain, are bright and colorful. The rituals, which the inhabitants of the region have been strictly following for many hundreds of years, capture the centuries-old history of this region and the peculiarities of the national character of the inhabitants of this autonomous region. Their openness and involvement in what is happening are such that even a stranger who happens to be in the crowd feels like a full participant in the celebrations. Carnival processions, harvest festivals, ritual processions of Holy Week in cities and towns - this is not a complete list of what can be seen in Castile and Leone.

Holidays of international tourist significance:
San Juan holiday(De la Madre de Dios / Our Lady) in Soria (Fiestas de San Juan / de la Madre de Deus) - celebrated on June 23-24;
Paso del Fuego and las Mondidas (Paso del Fuego y las Móndidas) in San Pedro de Manrique / Soria province (San Pedro de Manrique) - celebrated on June 24;
Passion (Holy) Week (Semana Santa en León) in Leon - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Church Catholic calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week (Semana Santa en Salamanca) in Salamanca - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week (Semana Santa en Medina de Rioseco) in the town of Medina de Rioseco - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week (Semana Santa en Valladolid) in Valladolid - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week(Semana Santa en Zamora) in Zamora - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Church Catholic calendar).

Holidays of national tourist significance:
Fiesta de Santa Ágeda(Fiesta de Santa Águeda) in the town of Zamarramala, Segovia province - 8 February;
Carnival de Toro (Carnaval de Toro) in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca province - February;
Passion (Holy) Week(Semana Santa en Ávila) in Ávila - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week (Semana Santa en Medina del Campo) in Medina del Campo, province of Valladolid - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Passion (Holy) Week(Semana Santa en Palencia) in Palencia - a holiday that begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter (dates are determined according to the Catholic Church calendar);
Corpus Christi: El Colcho(Corpus Cristi: El Colcho) in Castrillo de Murcia, Burgos province - June;
Feasts in honor of John the Baptist/ Fiestas de San Juan Bautista in Baños de Cerrato, Palencia province - June 28;
Fiestas de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion(Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) in La Alberca, Salamanca province - August 14-17;
Desenso International del Carrión / International rafting on the Carrión River (Descenso Internacional del Carrión) in Velilla del Rio Carrión. (Velilla del Rio Carrión), province of Palencia - August 14;
Desenso International del Pisuerga/ International rafting on the river Pisuerga (Descenso Internacional del Pisuerga) in Alar del Rey, province of Palencia - August 15;
Ensierros de Cuellar(Encierros de Cuéllar) in Cuéllar, province of Segovia - last weekend of August;
Romeria (religious procession) de Nuestra Senora de Chilla (Romeria de Nuestra Señora de Chilla) in Candeleda, Avila province - 13 September;
Toro de la Vega(Toro de la Vega) in Tordesillas, Valladolid province - September 15;
Romeria (religious procession) del Santissimo Cristo del Caloko(Romeria del Santissimo Cristo del Caloco) in El Espinar, province of Segovia - September 20.

Nature and natural parks

The forests that once covered the entire territory of Meseta in Castile and León were practically destroyed in the Middle Ages. In their place, pastures and arable lands arose. Only in the provinces of Soria and Burgos can you still find small groves.
The mountainous regions of the Cordillera Cantabrica and the Central System escaped this fate. Beech forests grow on the slopes of the mountains, rising to an altitude of 1500 m. Chestnut groves are often found at an altitude of 1000 - 1100 m. The Pyrenean oak can climb up to 1700 m above sea level. However, oak forests, which were so widespread in the mountainous regions of Castile and León, have now given way to pines. Unlike the southern regions of Spain, the olive is not at all typical for Castile and León. It grows only in the area of \u200b\u200bRueda (Valladolid). A large part of the province of Salamanca is covered by the so-called. "Deesas" (dehesas) - a special type of forest, outwardly reminiscent of the African savannah.

The fauna of Castile and León is very diverse. There are very rare species. For example, the "cabra montes" (Pyrenean ibex) has survived only in the Sierra de Gredos area. In mountainous areas, wild (mountain) cats, brown bears, wolves, wood grouses, and several species of eagles live. The rivers are inhabited by nutria (water rats), trout, carp.
In the early 90s, the local government (Junta) adopted a number of laws, according to which nature protection zones were created on the territory of the autonomy. These include:
Regional Parks (Parques Regionales) of Castile and León:
Sierra de gredos(Sierra de Gredos) in the Navarredonda de Gredos area;
Europa Peaks National Park (Parque Regional y Nacional de Picos de Europa) in the Riaño area;

Natural Parks (Parques Naturales) in the Castile and Leon region:
Montes (mountains) Obarenes - San Sadornil(Montes Obarenes - San Zadornil) in the Pancorbo area;
Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre - Montaña Pentina(Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre - Montaña Palentina) in the Cervera de Pisuerga area
Las Batuecas - Sierra de Francia(Las Batuecas - Sierra de Francia) in the area of \u200b\u200bAlberca (La Alberca);
(Arribes del Duero) in the Fermoselle area;
Hoses del Rio Duratón(Hoces del Río Duratón) in the Sepulveda area;
Osses del Rio Rias(Hoces del Río Riaza) in the Montejo de la Vega Serrezuela area;
Canyon del Rio Lobos(Cañón del Río Lobos) in the Usero area (Uсero);
Lago (lake) de Sanabria and Alredores (Lago de Sanabria y Alrededores) in the Galende area.
Reserves (Reservas Naturales)
Valle (valley) de Iruelas (Valle de Iruelas) in the area of \u200b\u200bTiemblo (El Tiemblo);
Sabinar de Calatanasor (Sabinar de Calatañazor) in the Calatañazor area;
Riberas de Castronuno(Riberas de Castronuño) in the Castronuño area;
Villafafila lagoons(Lagunas de Villafáfila) in the Villafáfila area;
Natural Monuments (Monumentos Naturales)
Monte (mountain) Santiago (Monte Santiago) in the Berberana area;
Ojo Guaregna (Ojo Guareña) a cave in the area of \u200b\u200bMerindad de Sotoscueva;
Lago (lake) de La Banya(Lago de La Baña) in the La Baña area;
Lago (lake) de Trucillas (Lago de Truchillas) in the Truchas area;
(Las Médulas) in the Carucedo area;
La Fuentona "Ojo de Mar" (La Fuentona “Ojo de Mar”) in the Muriel de La Fuente area.

World Heritage of Humanity and other attractions

Historic city center and declared a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1985. In 2007, churches were added outside the city wall of Avila.

The UNESCO List of World Heritage of Humanity also includes:
Cathedral of Burgos(1984);
Historic center of Salamanca (1988);
Pilgrimage route of Santiago (1993) in the territory of Castile and León;
Archaeological site in Atapuerca (2000);

In fact, there are many more cities and attractions in Castile and Leone to explore. First of all, it is the ancient capital of the medieval kingdom. In the capitals of other provinces of Castile and León, the cities of Soria, Palencia, Valladolid, Zamora, many remarkable monuments of the past have been preserved. Above Ponferrada, the powerful Castle still stands proudly, the legacy of the legendary Knights Templar. Another Castle - like a sky ship, floats over the vineyards of the Duero River Valley. Under the arches of the monastery church Santo Domingo de Silos today, as well as 1000 years ago, Gregorian chants are heard. Astorga, Ciudad Rodrigo, Fromista, Tordesillas, Medinacella also deserve attention.

Las Medulas - the gold mine of antiquity

The article uses materials from the section "Castile and Leon" (Wikipedia - Spanish), as well as information published on the official website