Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Valencia de Don Juan
Valencia de Don Juan, historically known as Coyanza, is a town located in the south of the province of León, in the Esla-Oteros region. With around 5,000 inhabitants, Valencia de Don Juan is located in the fertile lowlands of the river Esla, where almost 80% of its territory is dedicated to farming, forming a rural, agricultural landscape of great value.
Its origins go back to the late Bronze Age, with a settlement that boasted the iconic castle, the remains of which now crown the town. In the 5th century, the Suebi, together with the local inhabitants, successfully resisted the incursions of the Goths led by Theodoric II. The Muslim invasion destroyed the original fortification, probably located to the north of the present castle.
The imposing Castle of the Acuña y Portugal family, declared a National Monument in 1931, was built in the 15th century. This enclosure, which is open to the public, has been partially restored and is a symbol of the town's rich history. During the War of Independence, Valencia de Don Juan suffered great damage, but saw notable social and economic growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
The cultural legacy of Valencia de Don Juan offers a brilliant architectural and religious heritage. The church dedicated to the Virgen del Castillo Viejo, patron saint of the town, and the parish church of San Pedro Apóstol stand out as spiritual epicentres. The streets of the municipality are home to ancestral homes that once belonged to the local nobility and bourgeoisie, such as the Casa Palacio de los Condes de Valencia de Don Juan and the modernist residence of Don Eliseo Ortiz, testimony to the social and artistic evolution of the region.
The traditions of Valencia de Don Juan are reflected in its calendar of festivals. The patron saint festivals are held between 7 and 14 September in honour of Nuestra Señora del Castillo and the Blessed Christ of Santa Marina, bringing together locals and visitors in an atmosphere of fervour and joy. Throughout the summer, events such as the Medieval Market, the Book Fair, the Tierra de León Wine Fair, the Day of the Bollu, as well as the Ceramics and Traditional Crafts Fair enrich the cultural and tourist offering, making the town a destination full of life and tradition.