Astorga, León

Astorga, city, León provincia (province), in the Castile-León comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), northwestern Spain, on the left bank of the Tuerto River on a spur of the Manzanal mountain chain. It originated as the Roman Asturica Augusta (called a “magnificent city” by Pliny) and was an important administrative and military centre. The see of a bishop since the 3rd century, Astorga decayed in the Muslim period from the time of the expulsion of the Berbers (c. 750) until the repopulation under Ordoño I of Leon (c. 860). It became a station on the road to Santiago de Compostela, a medieval pilgrimage centre, and a trade centre as well. During the Peninsular War, it was captured by the French in 1810 and retaken by Spanish troops in 1812. Historic landmarks include the Roman walls (a national monument); the Gothic cathedral (1471), with Plateresque and Baroque decorations; the 18th-century town hall; and the 19th-century Bishop’s Palace, designed by Antonio Gaudí.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Camino-de-Santiago

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the “Way of St. James,” is one of the most famous pilgrimages in Christianity. Since the Middle Ages pilgrims have traveled the network of routes throughout western Europe leading to the purported tomb of St. James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The pilgrimage was originally made for religious purposes. However, in the modern era the Camino de Santiago is traveled by people of different religious beliefs from all over the world for recreational as well as religious or spiritual reasons.

 

 

 

Municipality

Municipality