Cloister vault in Leon Cathedral
by RicardMN Photography
Title
Cloister vault in Leon Cathedral
Artist
RicardMN Photography
Medium
Photograph
Description
Santa María de León Cathedral, also called The House of Light or the Pulchra Leonina is situated in the city of León in north-western Spain. It was built on the site of previous Roman baths of the 2nd century which, 800 years later, king Ordono II converted into a palace.
The cathedral mostly dates from the 13th century, but not fully completed until the 19th century (when it was also extensively restored) due to periodic problems with funding and structural integrity.
Probably the finest Gothic building in Spain, León Cathedral was closely modeled on the Flamboyant Gothic royal cathedrals of France, especially Reims Cathedral and St-Denis Basilica.
Its wide west facade, made of a lovely pale yellow stone, is flanked by two towers and pierced with three exquisitely carved Gothic portals and a large rose window. The south transept also has three carved portals and a rose window.
The north transept adjoins to the 13th- and 14th-century cloister, which has carved capitals, Romanesque and Gothic tombs, and some faded frescoes.
Inside, some 125 medieval stained glass windows illuminate a harmonious, fully French Gothic interior with three aisles, a short transept, a five-bay choir, and an ambulatory with radiating chapels. The effect of the pale stone combined with dazzling rays of sunlight filtering through the windows have given the cathedral the nickname "House of Light."
León Cathedral's choir stalls, among the oldest in Spain, were carved of walnut by Flemish artists in the 15th century. A much-revered statue of the Virgen de la Esperanza, depicting the Virgin Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus, dates from the 13th or 14th century and is displayed in a side chapel off the choir.
The Mai Chapel contains an altarpiece by Nicolás Francés (15th century) and a silver reliquary containing the relics of San Froilán, patron saint of Leon. (Description fron Wikipedia and sacred-destinations.com)
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March 24th, 2016
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Comments (21)
Yvonne Wright
Absolutelly stunning! An interesting history too that really helped me to appreciate the beauty of this unique Spanish Gothic.
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