Rodri Hernández has just lifted, as captain of the National Team, the most important trophy in world football, but when it's time to disconnect, he doesn't look for an exotic destination or a private island. The Manchester City midfielder finds his most special refuge in La Bañeza, a Leonese municipality of 10,000 inhabitants to which his girlfriend, surgeon Laura Iglesias, is also very close.
There, far from the noise and the spotlight, the couple enjoys a tranquility that fits perfectly with the discreet lifestyle they have always defended. Although Rodri was born and raised in Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid), La Bañeza occupies a privileged place in his personal history. It is the land of his paternal family and the scene of many of the summers of his childhood, those memories that end up turning a place into home. Today it continues to be one of the destinations to which he returns whenever he can to reconnect with his roots.
Gtres
Laura Iglesias also shares that way of understanding life away from public exposure. The couple met a decade ago in the residence of the Jaume I University of Castellón. While he studied Business Administration and Management, she studied Medicine, a profession she currently practices as a surgeon in Castellón. Distance is part of their routine, since Rodri resides in Manchester during the season, but both have built a relationship that is as stable as it is reserved. She usually accompanies him in the most important moments of his career, although always from a discreet background.
However, in La Bañeza they always find what they are looking for together: a place where they can take a leisurely walk, reunite with their family and enjoy a life completely unrelated to the media showcase.
La Bañeza tourism
What to see in La Bañeza
Few people imagine that a town of this size hides such an interesting set of modernist architecture. The economic prosperity that La Bañeza experienced between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, driven by trade and the sugar industry, left dozens of monumental buildings as a legacy.
The best point to start the visit is the Plaza Mayor, the heart of the town and a showcase of the architecture that distinguishes La Bañeza. From there it is worth visiting streets such as Juan de Mansilla, Astorga, del Reloj or Avenida Vía de la Plata, where many of the most representative modernist facades are located.
Among the most notable buildings, the Casa de Doña Josefina stands out, considered one of the best examples of Bañezano modernism; the House of Juan de Mansilla, with its characteristic ornamentation; the historic Pérez Alonso Municipal Theater, one of the great cultural symbols of the city, and the old Flour Factory, a magnificent rehabilitated industrial building that today houses the Interpretation Center of the Tierras Bañezanas.
The tour can continue in the Church of Santa María, whose origin dates back to the 16th century, and in the Jewelry Museum on the Vía de la Plata, where one of the most important collections of traditional Leonese jewelry in the country is exhibited.
The most contemporary side of La Bañeza is its more than 300 murals and graffiti, which have turned numerous facades into an open-air museum. The contrast between historical modernism and current urban art is one of the city's great attractions and explains why more and more architecture and photography fans include this destination on their tourist route.
Zarateman
Where to eat delicious and cheap in La Bañeza
Leonese cuisine is another of the great arguments for making a getaway here. Moja el Gallo Restaurant is one of the most recommended tables in the city thanks to traditional but updated cuisine, made with local products and an excellent quality-price ratio.
Another safe bet is Restaurante El Museo del Barro, known for its meats, spoon dishes and a menu inspired by the gastronomy of the province, perfect for discovering the most authentic flavors of the area. Those looking for a more informal atmosphere will find Las Cubas Grill one of the options best valued by travelers and neighbors, especially for its grilled meats, generous portions and reasonable prices.
León Tourism
By the way, if there is a product that deserves a place during the visit, it is the La Bañeza-León bean, one of the great gastronomic hallmarks of the region and the protagonist of numerous traditional dishes.
What to do around La Bañeza
The location of La Bañeza allows you to easily discover some of the most charming corners of northwest Leon. Just twenty minutes away is Astorga, an essential city on any trip through the province. Its impressive cathedral, the Episcopal Palace designed by Gaudí and its chocolate tradition alone justify a leisurely excursion.
Very close by is Castrillo de los Polvazares, probably the most famous Maragato town in Spain. Its cobbled streets, perfectly preserved stone houses and the popular Maragato stew make it a mandatory stop.
Castilla y León Tourism
Another highly recommended visit is Val de San Lorenzo, where the Maragata textile tradition is still alive and it is possible to see old looms and artisan workshops that are part of the history of the region. For those who prefer a getaway of nature and history, the Laguna de Negrillos Castle offers one of the best preserved medieval defensive complexes in León.
And if you have a full day, it is worth extending the route to Las Médulas, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The spectacular reddish landscape created by Roman mining exploitation constitutes one of the most surprising images in all of Castilla y León and one of the most unforgettable excursions to do from La Bañeza.
Cover photo | Tourism of León and Gtres
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