León (city, Spain)

León (city, Spain), city, northwestern Spain, capital of León Province, Castile-León, at the junction of the Bernesga and Torío rivers. León is the commercial center of a rich agricultural region where grain, fruit, and livestock are produced. The chief industrial establishments of the city produce dairy, meat, leather, and grain products. Noteworthy places of interest include the Gothic cathedral (12th-14th century), one of the finest in Spain; the Church of San Isidoro (11th century), to which is attached the mausoleum of former royalty; and the convent of San Marcos, the town hall, and the Guzmán Palace, all dating from the 16th century. The city dates from Roman times. León was captured by Moors in the 8th century, and in the 10th century it became the capital of the Spanish kingdom of León under King Ferdinand I of Castile. León declined in importance after the 13th century, and it has retained its medieval appearance to the present day. Population (2007) 135,059.