Castile-León is the largest autonomous region in Spain, being comprised of nine provinces: Salamanca, Segovia, Avila, León, Burgos, Palencia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora. The region is home to several important historical cities. The region was formed by the merger of the powerful kingdoms of León and Castile in the thirteenth century.  It is located in the central-west of Spain, making up much of the area between Madrid and Portugal.
The region is popular with visitors, as there are several fascinating historic cities in close proximity to one another, and the whole region is not far from Madrid. The famous walls of the city of Avila date from the Middle Ages and are still in excellent repair: the city is also home to several interesting historic buildings. Salamanca features one of the oldest universities in Europe, lively nightlife and some excellent art. Segovia is where you’ll find a massive Roman aqueduct that cuts right through the heart of the city as well as an unforgettable fairy-tale palace.  The history of the city of Burgos is as long as any city in Spain; there are more religious buildings such as convents, churches, monasteries etc. than there are in any other Spanish city. The city of León is the old heart of the Kingdom of León: several kings are buried in the mausoleum.  There are 24 churches from the 12^th and 13^th centuries in Zamora.