Resin Fridge Magnet: Spain. Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral

The Glorious "House of Light" Depicted on Worldwide Gifts Refrigerator Magnet

This beautiful souvenir from Spain shows one of the country's most magnificent Gothic cathedrals, the spectacular Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral, also called Pulchra Leonina, or the House of Light. It is located in the city of Leon in the north west portion of the country on a site that was originally constructed in the second century as a complex of Roman baths that was converted into a palace by King Ordono II around 916. As a sign of gratitude to God for victory in battle the King gave up his palace and had it consecrated as a holy place and converted into a cathedral. The glorious Gothic structure was not completed until the 16th century.

One of the main attractions of the cathedral is the 1800 square meters of stained glass windows that adorn the cathedral, some of the finest stained glass work in the world and most of it original to the 13th century. It is the stained glass windows that gave the building its current nickname as the House of Light.

A Pilgrimage Destination along the Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago)

The Leon Cathedral is one of the three most important holy places on a pilgrim's pathway that includes The Burgos Cathedral and the Cathedral of Santiago De Compostela. Both the local citizenry and thousands of religious tourists consider the Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral a very holy place of worship. In addition to its importance as a spiritual destination it is an incredibly beautiful and important architectural achievement.

The exterior of the structure features magnificent soaring towers and spires, and portals with pointed arches and spectacular sculpture. Seeing the interior of the cathedral is an unforgettable experience; glorious paintings and alabaster sculptures create an atmosphere of regal beauty and historical awe.