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HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE
Consorcio Provincial Turismo León
Arch of San Benito
On the outskirts of town, beside the River Valde-
raduey, the Hermitage of the Virgen del Puente
welcomes travellers with its simple, solid silhoue-
tte. Of Mudéjar-Romanesque origin, it features a
single nave and a polygonal apse that reflect the
functional austerity of medieval rural churches.
Just five kilometres away, the Monastery of
San Pedro de las Dueñas completes the rou-
te. Founded in the 10th century as a convent
for nuns, its Romanesque church preserves fi-
nely carved historiated capitals depicting biblical
scenes, fantastic figures and vegetal motifs. Its
single nave, thick walls and sober decoration
convey a contemplative spirituality that defines
monastic Romanesque.
Sahagún represents not only a crossing point for
pilgrims, but also the transition from one style to
another. Here, Romanesque does not disappear:
it transforms, leaving a lasting mark on the lands-
cape and the history of art.
Interior of the Church of la Peregrina
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