antiguo convento de san marcos

Really beautiful inside and outside. There is a plaza with fountains in front of the entrance which helps the Monastery to look so good. We took some drinks in the bar/rest at the lobby and the environment was very pleasant.

A must visit while in Leon. There is a large square we you can sit and contemplate this beautiful building also you can watch the local and see how they interact or just enjoy the sun, walk through the gardens and along the river. If you have time to go inside There is a lot to see, the convent it self, its formal garden, El Parador beautiful Hotel, there is a small cathedral and museum attached .The restaurant has great food and good variety. When I told my friends this is the place we were going to spend the night they could not believe it and ever since I have became forever popular in my group. Lorena Palmer, Australia

Renaissance cloisters are beautiful and have very good descriptions. Chapel is outstanding, walnut choir is second only to Toledo.

Convento San Marcos is an old cloister with an own church and a very large front (about 100 mtrs). Now there is a museum in it, but also a very exclusive parador. You can stay there. There are many public rooms you can free visit. Before the building there is a very large square.The cloister protected and took care of the pelgrims. A must to visit.

It's like going back in time. A stay at this place is definitely worth it. Lovely historical place that shouldn't be missed when in Leon.

Stayed at the parador hotel within this historic building . Used to be a hospital, monastery & prison. Open to the public if not staying there. Inside and outside of the building is just a must see. It has a museum and church. While we were there they had a rosary service. To just sit there and witness that was just unbelievable! Has a beautiful square and a Roman bridge on the Way of St James. Highly recommend if in Leon. A must see !

We stayed at the Parador hotel that is part of the Convent and thus got to use most of the convent every day, all day. The convent is a place of tranquility and quite pleasant. We were surprised at the size and style of the church/cathedral. Alas, the museum was of little interest, unless you want to see paintings of those who perpetrated the Inquisition.

If in Leon by all means visit this place! We wanted to see it and even from the outside its splendid! We had a coffee there and then went into the Museum part..the gardens...Absolutely beautiful!Don't miss it !

Splendid buildings filled with much history. The whole plaza is a destination in itself. The interior of the church is memorable. Hit the museum if you have time and try to wonder into the Parador if you are sneaky or rich enough.

Big church and cloister now being a parador it is partly accessible for public. The outside is wonderful, the inside even better. Beautiful paintings and statues to be seen. A must see.

San Marcos has served as a church, hospital, prison, among other uses since its construction. It is one of the iconic buildings of León and is easily visited in an hour. There's a small inexpensive museum with some artwork - free for students. You can stay as an overnight guest at San Marcos if you are willing to pay. I suggest visiting San Marcos and having a coffee from the inside bar on the terrace, or simply enjoying the sunshine from the benches in the plaza and admiring the facade.

But have walked through the place which houses a museum, a church and some amazing history. It is one of the most amazing buildings in Leon, with a varied history that makes it more than worth the visit. And it is featured in the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen...one of the best movies I saw this year!

This 16th c. monastery is now a parador, a quite expensive hotel. However, you can go into the abbey church and to the cloisters, and you can admire the impressive facade. The abbey church is a pure example of the Isabelline style, the final stage of Spanish Gothic, and so are the cloisters. The facade is in plateresque style, the Spanish early Renaissance style. It all forms a beautiful piece of architecture that shouldn´t be missed.

The convent is now a 5-star hotel (Parador) with rooms at 150 euros, at least for this month. The church was closed, so we couldn't visit it. There´s a very beautiful statue of the Pilgrim (Peregrino del Camino de Santiago) in the front gardens.

Lo deje para el día siguiente más que nada por tener la luz de la mañana y tomar buenas fotografías. El edificio es muy llamativo (es el parador nacional) y la vista desde el puente es de los mejores. También es de agradecer el parquin del gobierno de León.