Casa de Tepa Astorga ****

Astorga is one of the points by passing the Camino Francés, the best known of the routes of the Camino de Santiago.

Astorga Cathedral, also known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, as it is dedicated to the Virgin, began to rise in 1471 within the walled enclave of its Roman predecessor of the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. The works lasted until the eighteenth century and gave rise to different architectural styles: Gothic flowery inside a cloister restored in the eighteenth century in neoclassical style, exterior towers and baroque facade and portico with Renaissance touch.

The facade, baroque, is organized as a stone reredos exuberantly decorated with five scenes from the life of Christ and a rosette with plant motifs on the shield of the monarchy is. It is flanked by two towers that crown the Astorgana seo. The old tower of the cathedral dates back to 1678, but was affected by the Lisbon earthquake of 1775 and was not fully rebuilt until 1965. The construction of the new tower started in 1698 and it was completed in 1708.

Astorga has the privilege of having a work of the most important modernist architect of Spain, and one of the most famous in the world, Antonio Gaudi. When the former Archbishop’s Palace was destroyed by fire in 1886, the Bishop of Astorga commissioned Gaudí to build a new bishopric. The construction of the present palace began in 1887 and ended in 1893.

Built in gray granite from the Leon region of the Bierzo, the building has a facade that features four round towers, and surrounded by a moat. The porch has three large flared arches, made with separated by sloping buttresses blocks; Gaudí had planned to crown the facade with an angel of five meters high, which finally didn’t take place. The rear has an apse in the chapel, surrounded by three small apses. The ground floor contains a large hall, from which the noble staircase, acquiring great height that allows the opening of large windows, triangular, which provide a good light; this scheme is somewhat reminiscent to that used in the Palau Güell. The building structure is supported by pillars with capitals decorated and in vaults on pointed arches glazed ceramic. It is topped with a crenellated Mudejar.

The City Hall of Astorga was declared of cultural interest on 2 July 1992. The building was completed in 1703 and is one of the examples of civil Baroque architecture of León.

Since 2005, Astorga has a route for its Roman legacy as Asturica Augusta. This route begins in the primitive Roman camp and passing out for the sewer, the Greater and Lesser baths and forum, among others.

The ancient Wall of Astorga was raised for the first time in the third century as security against the threat of barbarian invasions. It had a length of 2,295 meters and enclosed the old town. The War of Independence caused extensive damage to the wall.

Chocolate Museum.
It was founded in 1994 and has a great heritage of the industrializing phase of the city and the region, which took place during the nineteenth century. Astorga not only produced chocolate, but also the machinery and printing necessary for the development and advertising of the chocolate.
Cathedral Museum.
It is located in what was formerly the school, the library and archives of the cathedral and was inaugurated in 1954.
Roman Museum.
In this museum, located in the building of “The Ergastula” the Roman remains of the city, from solar excavated in the city and how it was disclosed Asturica Augusta exposed.
Museum of the Holy Week.
It belongs to the brotherhood of Santa Veracruz and Confalon and displays its most valuable asset.
Los Caminos Museum.
It is dedicated to everything related to the Camino de Santiago and is located in the Episcopal Palace since 1962.

Easter in Astorga.
Declared of Regional Tourist Interest, it is the most important festival of Astorga. During Easter parade through the streets carrying eight brotherhoods a total of 40 steps.
Carnival.
Astorga is celebrated on Saturday Piñata, the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday.
Santa Marta.
It is the feast of the patron saint of the city, and celebrated the last week of August.
Napoleonic days.
These festivities remember the war events of the War of Independence, when it was besieged Astorga.
The Zuiza.
This festival is held every three years, coinciding with Expoastorga, and is an event of medieval tradition which is celebrated victory in the battle of Clavijo.
Asturians and Romans.
The last weekend of July is celebrated and recalls the days when the Roman Astorga was Asturica Augusta.
Virgin Castrotierra.
It is a pilgrimage to ask for water which is held when rain is needed or every seven years.

El Cocido Maragato / The Maragato stew.
It is the most typical dish of Astorga. It is a stew that formerly served as food for farm workers and their only hot meal all day. It consists of soup, cabbage, chickpeas seven meats. Its main feature is that, unlike most of the cooked, it is served reversed: first the meat, vegetables and finally after soup.
La Cecina / The jerky.
This sausage has its largest production center in Astorga, since this is where there are more industries producing this sausage. Since 1994, jerky Astorga boasts the Denomination of Origin and a regulatory board.
Las Mantecadas.
Dated from the nineteenth century, but is from 1850 when started the sale and are now already a classic of the cuisine of Astorga.
Los hojaldres.
Los hojaldres are a typical sweet of Astorga. This sweet emerged 35 or 40 years ago and are bathed in syrup.