Benavides de Órbigo: Market, Festivals and Trails along the Órbigo

Benavides de Órbigo has a firmly established weekly rhythm: since King Fernando IV granted the privilege in 1306, a market has been held here every Thursday. The Feria del Dulce y la Repostería follows on the first weekend of September. On 14 and 15 September, the patron saint festivals in honour of the Bendito Cristo de la Vera Cruz are celebrated, while the Fiestas del Barrio de San Juan take place in mid-June.

Culture

Following the confiscation of church property, the inhabitants of Benavides founded the Ermita del Bendito Cristo de la Vera Cruz, where they continued this tradition of worship. The Church of San Martín de Tours was built between 1761 and 1764 and is distinguished by its imposing tower. It stands at the centre of Benavides's urban structure.

Among the registered architectural landmarks is the "Casa con soportal en Calle El Tejar" in Benavides de Órbigo, which is listed in the architectural heritage inventory. Also included in an inventory, this time of the industrial heritage, is the "Fábrica de Chocolates y Caramelos" in Benavides de Órbigo; it was originally built in 1939.

History

Benavides was once home to a Franciscan monastery founded by the Counts of Luna in 1460, which disappeared after the expropriations carried out during the confiscations of church property. Benavides was the centre of an old and fairly extensive jurisdiction over which the successive Counts of Luna exercised their seigneurial rights.

Historically, Benavides had a pilgrims' hospital that worked together with the hospitals in Santa Marina del Rey.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Benavides de Órbigo, compare the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the listing pages; these three fields provide an objective basis for comparing different accommodations for the desired period.

Other Places

Other places on this page include Chana de Somoza, Riego De Ambrós, Toral de Merayo, Salamón, Puebla De Lillo, Brazuelo, Valverde De La Virgen and Santa María Del Páramo.

Trails and Landscape

Section 02 of the Vía Künig crosses the Órbigo via a pedestrian crossing, leads to Benavides and runs along the left bank of the river between fields of maize, hops, wheat, beans and potatoes. Upon arriving in Benavides, the Vía Künig follows the paved mill trail to the Fuente de los Ocho Caños.

The Fuente de los Ocho Caños stands opposite the town hall and is considered one of the symbols of Benavides. A restored mill stands on Benavides's stone bridge.

Section 03 of the Vía Künig leads from Benavides de Órbigo to Villamejil, takes 3 hours and 21 minutes and is rated difficulty level 1 out of 5. The Ruta del Órbigo, which includes Benavides de Órbigo among its places, comprises trails that can partly be explored by bicycle or on foot between nearby towns. The differing information on routes, duration and difficulty helps you compare different stages for your own planning.

Getting There and Everyday Life

The municipal swimming pool in Benavides is listed as being open from 12:00 to 21:00. From León, the route to Benavides follows the N-120; in Hospital de Órbigo, it branches onto the N-420 to Benavides.

For the higher-level travel overview: León.