After a 20 km jaunt into Leon and arrival around 12.30, there was time for a bit of sighseeing in the city of Leon. The cathedral was a ‘must see’ and, along with Burgos and Chartres, it is rated as a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Amongst its features, the cathedral boasts what was deemed a ‘new’ vaulted architectural style that allowed for the inclusion of great expanses of stained glass windows: 1000 square metres in total. As you sit under the main dome, the tape recording recounts how this section, weakened through skimping on materials and questionable construction, started to fall apart. With timber scaffolding to allow for strengthening of the pillars, the domed structure apparently groaned and settled successfully back into place when the supports were removed. Nice to know this when you’re sitting underneath. Leon is a maze of narrow winding streets where buildings from different centuries sit comfortably and unassumingly alongside each other: witness photo two where the medieval cathedral, Roman wall and a later building snuggle seemlessly together with no regard for age difference. Leon has a huge selection of eating places but, as most don’t come alive until 9pm, these are not options for the hungry and weary pelegrino. Another time, maybe.