museo panteon san isidoro de leon

Nice paintings, library, and antiques. The mausoleum is beautiful, it has paintings in the ceiling that represents different periods. We take the guided tour and she knew a lot of the history of the Museum. Photos are not allowed.

They say the Pantheon in San Isidoro (admittance costs 5 euro) holds the best romanesque mural paintings in the world. My first impression was that I had seen something truly unique, and I later learnt that the Romanesque paintings are considered the Sistine Chapel of their era. By the time San Isidoro was erected Leon was the most important kingdom in Iberia, and it was also the first one in Europe to hold a parliament, precisely within San Isidoro's walls. Had San Isidoro been built in London, it would be one of the top 10 city attractions. In Leon it remains unknown even for many tourists.

The museum charges a fee and the basilica, which is next door is free. Most of the photos including these are of the basilica. The museum (at least when we went) was very odd. There are at least two key areas in the museum: the chalice room and the panteon. Photos are not allowed. Perhaps because it was low season but we were not really happy with the museum. The entrance/tour was highly controlled. By that a group of about 20 were shepherded through it. This meant that we were not able to go through it at our own pace. Never been in another museum like this before. Since we are academics, this was frustrating. Understandable that what we wanted to see and spend time looking at was not the lowest common denominator. We were able to stay quite long in the Panteon. But it was the first few rooms that we felt needlessly rushed through.

Technically basilica and Panteon are neighbours but they should be treated separately. Church is free to enter and nothing spectacular. To get to to Panteon you have to pay 5 euros but provides exceptional experience. Entrance is possible on guided tours only. There are also tours in English so get there in the morning to book your place as the hours may be changing. First you visit a small museum with some medieval jewellery and some art, then a library with old manuscripts and after that the tour moves to the highlight - Panteon Real, a funeral chapel of kings of Leon. There you'll find some very well preserved painted mural dating back to 12th century. They refer to New Testament but also depict scenes from rural life. There's even a calendar showing what works were carried in which month. At the end of the tour you can get a look at the cloister. Very good tour and definetely recommended. Photos are only allowed in the cloister.

We observed this wonderful basilica from a restaurant at the other side of the plaza and were amazed.At 11.00 in the evening worshippers were coming and going to this almost 1000 year basilica.A living church

The Basilica Isodoro is very old. Famous is the cross statue of ivor. The church is situated on a very nice square.

The Basilica San Isidoro is an 11th century Basilica Church and the final stop for many ancient Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago who were too ill to go on. Here they could receive the blessings they were seeking in their journey. The Royal Pantheon has amazing sculptures and paintings from many eras from Roman art to the present. The frescoes were amazingly still vivid after 800 years. I loved the calendar which was done on an arch, with the names of the months of the year and a depiction of an activity for each month. Unfortunately, our "guide" said little and was more of a guard than a guide. This was the home of the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and the chalice that belonged to their daughter, Dona Urraca, is just magnificent with gold and onyx and crusted with jewels of every kind. The courtyard is peaceful but needs much refurbishing. We almost missed this jewel. It is very understated and easy to overlook!

This church actually runs a pilgrims mass and blessing everyday, it's not well known. The church is a mix of historic construction and modern conveniences. For those on the camino well worth the visit.

The basilica is very nice, but what I remember most is the Royal Pantheon. The quality of the original frescos is outstanding. This is a very interesting place.

Beautiful museum & church with fascinating objects from founding of church in 1063, with ancient bibles, casks, reliquiaries etc of great beauty. The most famous piece is Dona Urraca's chalice, now reputedly said to be the 'original' Holy Grail - 1st century roman onyx piece, which early Christians believed to be from 'the Last Supper', with beautiful gold work and jewels. Outstanding must-see!http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/spanish-historians-claim-to-have-found-holy-grail-1.1740900

the best thing is that a little group accompanied by a guide could listen and learn part of Spain's history which is housed in here

It's an interesting visit with many historical features. History enthousiasts would surely love it. However if you're not really into history it may be a little boring.

Some beautiful afresco paintings at theceiling, well mantained, well restored, vivid colours and that beautiful Medieval drawing. You do not have much of that paintings all over Europe, only in some places. And Leon is sure one of them.

The beautiful frescos are just a must see. The craftsmanship is so amazing . Romanesque chapel of the Kings of Leon in the Royal Pantheon. The medieval art in the museum is a must ! The library holds hundreds of manuscripts,art and the jeweled chalice now believed to be the chalice of Jesus in the last supper.

The ancient church is wonderful, esp. the Door of the Lamb with the equestrian statue of St Isidore high above the porch, but the highlight for most people will be the museum-section, for which you pay extra, and which has its own door and opening times. This is where the so-called Pantheon is, with many stone coffins that once held the remains of members of the royal family of Leon, and astonishingly well-preserved Visigothic frescoes on the vaults. Then a beautiful cloister and stairs up to the museum proper, with among other things the precious eleventh century chalice of Dona Urraca (you can read her story in Wikipedia - search for "Urraca of León and Castile" - it's fascinating), and the ancient monastery library.