Alija del Infantado

In the historic village of Alija del Infantado, which is placed on the south of León, you can find signs of ancient cultures like Muslims, Romans, Jews, templar knights or Napoleonic troops, here you can visit one of the ancient Roman bridge in Spain, the jews quarter and the castle from the XVI century.

Alija del Infantado is the end of the stage number 26 of the Camino de Santiago / Ruta de la Plata and a great number of pilgrims cross every year in front of the big cross of Santiago which is in one of the village entries.

One of the main monuments is the roman bridge of La Vizana which is over the Órbigo river and was destroyed by the napoleonic troops in 1809 and rebuild one century after that.

The bridge has 4 arcs of slate and it has, in one of its sides, a beautiful beach.

Other of the monuments that you can see in the village is the castle or palace of the Pimentel family (dukes of Infantado). The castle, which is placed in the Plaza mayor, was built on the second half of the XV century.

The castle has a square floor and it has square towers along the wall. Nowadays you can visit it and important events are planned in special dates like the “Antruejo” or “Fiesta Sacramental”.

Near to the Plaza Mayor you can find the San Verisimo church, which was built in the XII century, has a Romanesque front side but the rest of the church has a mix of different styles.

At the Barrio alto, you can find the San Esteban church, which was built between XII and XVI century. The exterior of the church is Romanesque style and the interior is baroque with an incredible Mudejar roof.

Near of the San Esteban church, you can drink from the water of the Fuente del Caño or Fuente de San Ignacio. The font is original from the III century and it is next to a leisure space.

Its water is good to prevent sickness and form this place you will have a wonderful view of Alija del Infantado.

Apart from “El Caño” Alija has other fonts like Mendaña, CerRal and Pajarina.

Special attention to the chapel of Bendito Cristo de la Veracruz where take place the famous “Fiestas del Cristo” in the first weekend of May.