Convent of San Marcos
Convento de San Marcos
A masterpiece of Spanish Plateresque style, where a monastery with a 100-metre facade is now a five-star state-run hotel.
The Convent of San Marcos was originally a hospital run by the Order of Santiago to receive pilgrims. In the 16th century it was rebuilt with a roughly 100-metre-long Plateresque facade, richly carved and a hallmark of Spanish Renaissance architecture. It is now a state-run hotel (Parador). Visitors who are not guests can tour the church and parts of the cloister and have coffee in the bar. In front of the building is a bronze statue of resting pilgrims, and beside it stands the San Marcos Bridge over the Bernesga River. It is about a 15-minute walk from the cathedral.
Opening hours
Church and cloister ~10:00–20:00 (subject to hotel arrangements)
Nearby sights
- MUSAC
- Basilica of San Isidoro & Royal Pantheon
- Museum of León
- Casa Botines
- Walls of León
- Plaza del Grano
- Barrio Húmedo
- León Cathedral