Las Eras de Renueva
The Las Eras de Renueva district is located in the northern part of the city and houses some of its most important tourist landmarks, making it a must-visit place during your trip to the provincial capital. It is also easy to access by foot and public transport.
It is bordered by the Ensanche (expansion) district to the south; Avenida Padre Isla and the Carbajal de la Legua motorway to the east; the Bernesga River to the west; and the municipality of Sariegos to the north. The process of planning this district, which now spans just over 800,000 m2, first began in the 1960s. However, the project stalled for various decades due to various reasons. It is now home to various institutions, cultural spaces and more than five-thousand homes. It has changed a lot since it was just a few “eras”, hence its name.
The riverside location of the Las Eras de Renueva district, which was once on the outskirts of the city, made it an ideal place to build a sanatorium. The structure that would go on to become the Hospital de la Orden Militar de San Marcos de León (Military Order of San Marcos de León Hospital) was built on the land ceded by Doña Sancha in 1152. Over time, it would become a famous stop-off point for pilgrims undertaking the Way of Saint James. The magnificent Renaissance building of the San Marcos Convent can be visited free-of-charge, allowing visitors to admire not only its façade but also the artistic pieces housed inside. Alongside the Cathedral, Casa Botines and the Collegiate Basilica of San Isidoro, this building is one of León’s main architectural treasures.
Besides the San Marcos Convent, the MUSAC is another place that you should make an effort to visit during your time in the city. The MUSAC, which is the Contemporary Art Museum of Castilla y León, has been open since 2005. Designed by the Mansilla + Tuñón Architecture Studio, the building received the European Union’s Mies van der Rohe architecture prize in 2007. Its colourful façade —and the quality of its projects, art collection and temporary exhibitions— does not go unnoticed. The León Auditorium, which was designed by the same architecture studio as the MUSAC, is another popular landmark amongst tourists. The auditorium, which was inaugurated in 2002, has an immaculate cubist façade organised into various volumes. It’s one of those special buildings that you’ll never get tired of looking at. We recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as doing so will guarantee entry to its original interior spaces which host shows, exhibitions and conferences.
The avant-garde architecture of this neighbourhood doesn’t end in this striking cultural centre. Rather, it can also be found in a series of magnificent functional constructions such as the Edificio Europa (the work of architects José Álvarez Guerra, José Mará Ruiz Sanz and Luis Diego) and the modern building that houses the headquarters of the Castilla y León regional government. Both buildings have modern façades made of glass.
All trips to enjoy the architectural and cultural attractions of Las Eras de Renueva should be complemented with a leisurely stroll through the nearby gardens or a visit to the Santos Ovejeros Park. While you’re in León, you should also find the time to sample the delicious local specialities served in its restaurants.