A wine museum in a cave winery more than 300 years old, seasonal lagoons and a 13th-century statue of the Virgin Mary offer very different ways to explore Valdevimbre. So when looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to ask one simple question: should wine, landscape or church art shape your stay? Valdevimbre cannot be reduced to its wine heritage; nature and the parish church each have their own appeal, too.
Wine: Cave Winery and Prieto-Picudo
The Museo del Vino de Valdevimbre is housed in a traditional cave winery carved out more than 300 years ago. This cave winery, carved out more than three centuries ago, gives the wine theme a clear historical context. The Prieto-Picudo grape variety, native to Valdevimbre, has been protected by the Tierra de León designation of origin since 27 July 2007. The cave winery and grape variety offer different points of interest: one is a historic place, the other a named native variety with protected origin. Leyenda del Páramo offers tours of the winery and vineyard, as well as wine tastings and tastings accompanied by food. If you would like one of these activities to be part of your stay, check in advance which options are available for your dates.
Landscape and protected areas
Almost half of the municipality of Valdevimbre is part of the Natura 2000 network and the Páramo Leonés Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA ES0000365). This protected-area designation describes the municipality on a regional scale. Valdevimbre also has seasonal lagoons, springs and natural water sources; some are of scenic interest to visitors. Two different scales are useful for understanding the area: the protected-area designation covers a large part of the municipality, while lagoons, springs and natural water sources refer to specific landscape features. If you plan to visit the lagoons, take their seasonal nature into account when planning your trip.
Parish church and art
The parish church of Valdevimbre has a square tower built under the influence of the Torre del Gallo at San Isidoro de León. The church houses the Virgen de las Angustias, a 13th-century statue of the Virgin Mary in a transitional form of Romanesque style. A remarkable 17th-century painting from the parish church is held at the Diocesan Museum of León. The dates and locations are worth distinguishing: the statue of the Virgin Mary dates from the 13th century and is in the parish church, while the painting dates from the 17th century and is in the Diocesan Museum of León. The tower and statue offer different art-historical perspectives: the tower is understood through a specific architectural influence, while the statue is identified by its date and transitional Romanesque style. This makes it possible to consider the church’s architectural history and sacred art as distinct ways of exploring the parish church.
Discover more destinations: Pereda De Ancares, Riego De Ambrós, Santa María De Ordás, San Adrián, Berlanga Del Bierzo, La Magdalena, Lorenzana, Riello
For the wider travel overview: León.
