View source for Astorga, Spain

{{Other uses|Astorga (disambiguation)}}
{{too many photos|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Astorga
| settlement_type         = [[Municipalities of Spain|Municipality]]
| official_name           = <!-- if different from name -->
| native_name             = <!-- if different from name -->
| image_skyline           ={{Multiple image
  | perrow = 2/2/2
  | border = infobox
  | total_width = 280
  | caption_align = center
  | image1 = Astorga Cathedral Façade.jpg
  | caption1 = [[Astorga Cathedral|Cathedral of Saint Mary]]
  | image2 = Palacio Episcopal Astorga 2021 - exterior.jpg
  | caption2 = [[Episcopal Palace, Astorga|Episcopal Palace]]
  | image3 = Fachada del ayuntamiento de Astorga.jpg
  | caption3 = Town Hall
  | image4 = Asturica-Cloacas.jpeg
  | caption4 = Roman Sewers
  | image5 = Astorga muralla JMM.JPG
  | caption5 = Roman Walls
  | image6 = Sede del Museo del Chocolate de Astorga.jpg
  | caption6 = Chocolate Museum
}}
| image_alt               =
| image_caption           =
| image_flag              = Flag of Astorga Spain.svg
| image_shield            = Escudo de Astorga.svg
| nickname                =
| motto                   = Very noble, loyal, meritorious, magnificent, and august{{force singular}}
| image_map               =
| map_caption             =
| pushpin_map             = Spain
| pushpin_label_position  =
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location in Spain
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|Spain}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Autonomous community]]
| subdivision_name1       = {{flag|Castile and León}}
| subdivision_type2       = [[Provinces of Spain|Province]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[León (province)|León]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Comarcas of Spain|Comarca]]
| subdivision_name3       = Tierra de Astorga<ref name="COMARCA">{{Cite book |last=Sánchez Badiola |first=Juan José |title=El fenómeno comarcal en la provincia de León |year=1991 |publisher=Diputación Provincial de León |isbn=84-87081-49-5 |pages=69–74}}</ref><ref group='note'>Part of the municipal territory is included in the [[Maragatería]] region.</ref>
| subdivision_type4       = [[Judicial districts of Spain|Judicial district]]
| subdivision_name4       = Astorga<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/JusticiaEspana/OrganizacionJusticia/InstLibraryCartographyJudProv/Le%C3%B3n/Astorga.pdf |title=Ministerio de Justicia.Municipios del partido judicial de Astorga |access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref>
| subdivision_type5       = [[Singular population entity|Population nuclei]]
| subdivision_name5       = Astorga, [[Castrillo de los Polvazares]], Murias de Rechivaldo, Santa Catalina de Somoza, and Valdeviejas
| seat_type               = <!-- [[Capital (political)|Capital]] -->
| seat                    =
| coordinates             = {{coord|42|27|32|N|6|3|48|W|region:ES_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   =
| elevation_m             = 869
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Predicción por municipios. Astorga (León) |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/astorga-id24008 |access-date=December 12, 2021 |author=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología|AEMET]]}}</ref>
| elevation_min_m         =
| elevation_max_m         =
| area_footnotes          =
| area_total_km2          = 46.78
| established_title       = 
| established_date        = 35 AD
| population_as_of        = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population_footnotes    =  {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
| population_total        = {{Spain metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population_demonym      = Astorgano, -a<ref group='note'>Although less common, the term Asturicense, derived from the ancient Asturica Augusta, is also used.</ref>
| population_note         =
| population_density_km2  = auto
| timezone                = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset              = +1
| timezone_DST            = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST          = +2
| postal_code_type        = [[List of postal codes in Spain|Postal code]]
| postal_code             = 24700
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in Spain|Dialing code]]
| area_code               =987
| leader_title            = Mayor
| leader_name             = José Luis Nieto
| leader_party            = [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Información de Concejales 2023 |url=https://concejales.redsara.es/consulta/ |access-date=June 25, 2023 |author=Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation}}</ref>
| blank_name_sec1         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec1         = [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|Csb]]
| website                 = {{official website|http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/index.htm}}
| footnotes               =
| blank1_name_sec1         = Budget
| blank1_info_sec1         = {{€|9,200,000}}<ref name="CE">{{Cite web |title=Astorga da luz verde al Presupuesto de 2022 y a la primera RPT |url=https://www.lanuevacronica.com/astorga-da-luz-verde-al-presupuesto-de-2022-y-a-la-primera-rpt |date=November 19, 2021}}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec1         = Patron saint
| blank2_info_sec1         = [[Turibius of Astorga|Saint Turibius]]<br>(April 16)
| blank3_name_sec1         = Patroness
| blank3_info_sec1         = Saint Marta<br>(February 23)
}}

'''Astorga''' ({{IPA|es|asˈtoɾɣa|lang|Pronunciation of Astorga in Spanish.ogg}}, ''Estorga''<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso Garrote|2011|p=34}}</ref> in the [[Leonese language|Leonese]] dialect of [[Maragatería]]) is a [[Municipalities of Spain|municipality]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ssweb.seap.minhap.es/REL/ |title=Registro de Entidades Locales |access-date=May 29, 2021 |author=Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation}}</ref> and city in [[Spain]], located in the [[Province of León]], within the autonomous community of [[Castile and León]]. Situated at the transition between the Páramo Leonés and the [[Montes de León]], it serves as a central hub for the regions of [[Maragatería]], [[La Cepeda]], and the [[Ribera del Órbigo]].<ref name="Alonso González 2000 17">{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=17}}</ref> The city is the seat of one of Spain's oldest and most extensive [[Diocese of Astorga|dioceses]], with jurisdiction over half of the province of León and parts of the provinces of [[Province of Ourense|Ourense]] and [[Province of Zamora|Zamora]].<ref name="DAT">{{Cite web |url=http://www.diocesisastorga.es/pages/la-diF3cesis.php |title=Descripción y datos generales |access-date=June 27, 2013 |author=[[Diocese of Astorga]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306212542/http://www.diocesisastorga.es/pages/la-diF3cesis.php |archive-date=March 6, 2010}}</ref> It is also the head of the [[Judicial districts of Spain|judicial district]] number 5 of the province of León.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cgpe.es/partido.aspx?idprovincia=24&numpartido=5 |title=Partido judicial n.º 5 de León |access-date=November 2, 2011 |author=General Council of Spanish Prosecutors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202425/http://www.cgpe.es/partido.aspx?idprovincia=24&numpartido=5 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Founded as a Roman military camp for the [[Legio X Gemina]] in the late 1st century BC,<ref name="CAMPA"/> it soon transitioned into a civilian settlement known as [[Asturica Augusta]] and became the capital of the [[Conventus Asturum]]. It developed as a key communication hub in northwestern Iberia and enjoyed prosperity during the first two centuries of the Common Era due to gold mining, earning the description ''vrbs magnifica'' from [[Pliny the Elder]].<ref name="VRBS"/> By the mid-3rd century, it likely became an episcopal see, with Basílides as its first bishop.<ref name="DAT"/> Following the [[Barbarian invasions into the Roman Empire of the 3rd century|barbarian invasions]], it was part of the [[Suebi|Kingdom of the Suebi]] and was captured by Muslim forces under [[Tariq ibn Ziyad|Tariq]] in 714, though it was reconquered by the Asturian monarchy later that century. In the late 10th century, it faced repeated Muslim assaults led by [[Almanzor]].<ref name="COMA"/>

From the 11th century, bolstered by the [[Camino de Santiago|Way of St. James]], the city experienced gradual development, with the Church playing a prominent role. In 1465, [[Henry IV of Castile]] granted Álvaro Pérez Osorio, Count of Trastámara, Lord of Villalobos, and Castroverde, the title of Marquis of Astorga, transitioning the city from a free status to a [[Feudalism|feudal]] condition.<ref name="MARQUES"/> In the early 19th century, Astorga suffered the consequences of the [[Peninsular War|French occupation]] and was among the first cities to rise against the French, with a revolt of peasants and laborers on May 2, 1808.<ref name="Alonso González 2000 42">{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=42}}</ref> French forces entered the city on December 31 of that year, and the city changed hands multiple times until the French surrendered on August 17, 1812.

Between the mid-19th century and early 20th century, significant industrial growth occurred, driven by the arrival of the railway and the rise of the chocolate industry.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=212}}</ref> This industry, alongside other food sectors such as confectionery and meat processing, remains active, though the local economy primarily relies on the [[service sector]], with administration, commerce, and cultural tourism as key pillars. The latter is supported by the city's rich historical-artistic heritage, including the [[Astorga Cathedral|cathedral]], the [[Episcopal Palace of Astorga|Episcopal Palace]], the town hall, and the Roman [[Ergastulum|ergastula]], all designated as [[Bien de Interés Cultural|Cultural Heritage Sites]].<ref name="BICS"/> Astorga is also a stop on the Way of St. James and a starting point for the [[Vía de la Plata]].

The most notable celebrations include the carnivals—held the first weekend after [[Ash Wednesday]]—the Holy Week, declared a [[Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain|Fiesta of National Tourist Interest]],<ref name="TURNAC"/> the Astures and Romans festival, recognized as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest,<ref name="TUREG"/> and, intermittently, the Zuiza procession honoring the Clavijo banner and the procession of the Virgin of Castrotierra, brought from its sanctuary 17 kilometers away during drought years.

In 2015, during the [[UNESCO]] approval of the extension of the Camino de Santiago in Spain to "[[Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain]]," Spain submitted a "Retrospective Inventory - Associated Components," listing Astorga with associated elements under numbers 1708 to 1772.<ref>The ''Retrospective Inventory - Associated Components'', prepared in 2014, can be consulted on UNESCO's official website, under the entry "Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain," in the Documents section, in the file "Nomination file 669bis" (285 MB), available online at: http://whc.unesco.org/es/list/669/documents/. Accessed July 31, 2017.</ref>

== Etymology ==
The name Astorga is a natural and popular evolution of the ancient toponym Asturica. Several theories exist regarding the origin and meaning of Asturica:<ref name="Rodríguez Díez 1981 3–5">{{Harvnb|Rodríguez Díez|1981|pp=3–5}}</ref> according to some, such as chronicler [[Gil González Dávila (historian)|Gil González Dávila]], it derives from Astyr or Astur, a squire of [[Memnon]] who arrived from the East, while others suggest it comes from Astiria, Astirica, or Asturia, a name used during the conquests of [[Munuza]].

Pedro Junco, drawing on texts such as the ''[[Tesoro de la lengua castellana o española|Dictionary of Covarrubias]]'', wrote in 1635 that the name stemmed from Astu and Orgia, forming Astorgia, meaning "city for celebrating the worship of the gods," specifically [[Dionysus|Bacchus]], which Latinized became Asturica. He also claimed that before Asturica, it was called Rhoma, a Greek synonym for strength.<ref name="Rodríguez Díez 1981 3–5"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Junco |first=Pedro |title=Fundación, nombres, y armas de la ciudad de Astorga |year=1635 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjrCbUkrQu0C&q=pedro+junco+fundacion+nombres+y+armas+de+astorga |publisher=Martín de Labayen |location=Pamplona}}</ref>

The city is referenced as Astorica in documents from 878, as Osturga and Austurga in the ''[[Codex Calixtinus]]'', and as Astur, Asturius, and Asturia throughout the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=215}}</ref> In the 19th century, Víctor Gebhardt wrote in his ''General History of Spain'' that Astorga was previously called Asturica Amak. In [[Antonio de Nebrija]]'s dictionary, from the 1734 edition, it is referred to as Asturia and Asturica: "Asturia, a region and city near Portugal" and "Asturica Augusta, a city in Tarraconensis Spain, commonly called Rome."

In any case, Asturica was the ancient capital of the 22 [[Astures]] tribes, later receiving the honorific Augusta from Emperor [[Augustus]], who elevated it to the capital of the [[Conventus Asturum|Asturian Conventus]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=García Arias |first=Xose Lluis |year=2005 |title=Toponimia asturiana: el porqué de los nombres de nuestros pueblos |location=Oviedo |publisher=Prensa Asturiana |isbn=84-87730-78-7 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:MTN25-0193c1-2001-Astorga.jpg|thumb|Fragment of sheet 193 of the National Topographic Map of Spain from 2001, showing part of Astorga]]
[[File:Teleno desde Astorga.jpg|thumb|Mount Teleno as seen from Astorga]]
[[File:Placa altitud de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Plaque indicating Astorga's [[elevation]] on one of the cathedral's walls]]
[[File:Alto del Cuerno, Astorga.jpg|thumb|View of Alto del Cuerno (1,114 m)]]
[[File:Aérea de Astorga 02.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the city]]

=== Location ===
The municipality of Astorga, covering an area of 46.78&nbsp;km², is located in the southwestern part of the central zone of the province of León, at the transition between the Páramo Leonés plain and the [[Montes de León]]. This position establishes Astorga as a strategic communication hub, a role evidenced since ancient times as a crossroads of the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata, and a natural gateway to Galicia.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=15}}</ref> Its territory is divided between the traditional regions of Tierra de Astorga and [[Maragatería]]<ref name="COMA"/> and is represented on sheets MTN50 (scale 1:50,000) 192 and 193 of the National Topographic Map.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTN25 y MTN50 |url=http://www.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/series2550.do |access-date=June 7, 2013 |author=National Geographic Institute of Spain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316020810/http://www.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/series2550.do |archive-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="60%" align="center"
|-
| width="35%" align="center" | ''Northwest:'' [[Brazuelo]]
| width="30%" align="center" | ''North:'' [[Brazuelo]] and [[Villaobispo de Otero]]
| width="35%" align="center" | ''Northeast:'' [[San Justo de la Vega]]
|-
| width="10%" align="center" | ''West:'' [[Brazuelo]]
| width="35%" align="center" | [[File:Rosa de los vientos.svg|75px]]
| width="30%" align="center" | ''East:'' [[San Justo de la Vega]]
|-
| width="35%" align="center" | ''Southwest'' [[Santa Colomba de Somoza]]
| width="30%" align="center" | ''South:'' [[Val de San Lorenzo]] and [[Santiago Millas]]
| width="35%" align="center" | ''Southeast:'' [[San Justo de la Vega]]
|}

=== Topography ===
Astorga lies in the northwestern part of the Duero Basin and generally features gentle terrain, though it is divided into two distinct zones:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sánchez Zurro |first=Domingo |title=Geografía de Castilla y León |publisher=Ámbito |date=2008 |pages=29–30 |isbn=978-84-8183-156-6}}</ref> one area consists of a series of ridges oriented ESE-WNW, composed of materials from the [[Paleozoic Era|Lower Paleozoic]], and the other is the plain of the Tuerto River, with [[Cenozoic Era|Tertiary]] materials later covered during the [[Quaternary Period|Quaternary]].<ref name="IGME">{{Cite journal |url=http://info.igme.es/cartografia/magna50.asp |author=Instituto Geológico y Minero de España |title=Hoja de Astorga |journal=Mapa Geológico de España a escala 1:50.000 |year=1984 |access-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204125925/http://info.igme.es/cartografia/magna50.asp |archive-date=December 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The western zone exhibits a valley morphology with the same ESE-WNW orientation as the [[Hercynian orogeny|Hercynian]] structures, characterized by flat-bottomed valleys filled with Miocene sediments, while the eastern zone is dominated by alluvial plains and various levels of [[River terrace|terraces]].<ref name="IGME"/>

The municipality's average elevation ranges from {{convert|830|m|ft}} above sea level in the floodplains surrounding the city to over 1,000 meters in the westernmost parts.<ref name="VISOR">{{Cite web |title=Mapa topográfico nacional |url=http://sigpac.mapa.es/fega/visor/ |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=National Geographic Institute of Spain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910011642/http://sigpac.mapa.es/fega/visor/ |archive-date=September 10, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This variation reflects a transition from flat landscapes to elevated terrain with gentle slopes, culminating in peaks such as El Sierro (969 m above sea level), La Cuesta (996 m above sea level), and notably Alto del Cuerno, a [[Triangulation station|geodesic vertex]] at 1,114 m above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vértices geodésicos |url=http://www.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/geodesiaVertices.do |access-date=January 16, 2012 |author=National Geographic Institute of Spain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317022807/http://www.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/geodesiaVertices.do |archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> The city itself is situated on a promontory at 870 m above sea level, with its historic core resembling a spur, becoming gentler toward its western end.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=16}}</ref>
{{panorama
| image = Panorámica desde Astorga.jpg
| height = 300
| caption = Panoramic view, with the [[Montes de León]] in the background, from the city wall
}}

=== Hydrography ===
[[File:Río Jerga por Astorga.jpg|thumb|The Jerga River as it passes through Astorga]]
The entire municipality falls within the Duero River Basin; as in much of the province, its waterways are characterized by irregular flow, with low levels in summer and surges in autumn and winter due to rainfall and snowmelt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Características generales |url=http://www.chduero.es/Inicio/LacuencadelDuero/Caracter%C3%ADsticasgenerales/tabid/86/Default.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2013 |author=Duero River Basin Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714042314/http://www.chduero.es/Inicio/LacuencadelDuero/Caracter%C3%ADsticasgenerales/tabid/86/Default.aspx |archive-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref>

The Tuerto River floodplain, a tributary of the [[Órbigo River]], is the most significant in the municipality and extends across its eastern part. However, the Jerga River, originating at Peña del Gato near the Foncebadón Pass, has the longest course within the municipality. It flows through Castrillo de los Polvazares, Murias de Rechivaldo, Astorga, and Celada de la Vega before joining the Tuerto River a few kilometers from Astorga. Other minor waterways include streams such as La Moldera, Val Seco, and Fontanal, which feed into both rivers.<ref name="VISOR"/>

=== Climate ===
The climate in the municipality is classified as continental Mediterranean, with cold winters featuring frequent frosts and warm, dry summers. The annual temperature range is approximately 15&nbsp;°C, while the daily range can exceed 20&nbsp;°C. Precipitation is unevenly distributed throughout the year, scarce in summer and concentrated in late autumn, winter, and early spring.<ref name="CLIM">{{Cite web |title=Atlas climático ibérico |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/conocermas/publicaciones/detalles/Atlas-climatologico |access-date=January 30, 2013 |author=[[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología|AEMET]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085954/http://www.aemet.es/es/conocermas/publicaciones/detalles/Atlas-climatologico |archive-date=December 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://snow.cals.uidaho.edu/Clim_Map/koppen_criteria.htm |last=Critchfield |first=H.J. |year=1983 |work=General Climatology |publisher=Prentice Hall |edition=4 |title=Criteria for classification of major climatic types in modified Köppen system |editor=University of Idaho |language=en |access-date=January 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930221104/http://snow.cals.uidaho.edu/Clim_Map/koppen_criteria.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2009}}</ref> The city's elevation, its position above the surrounding area, and exposure to winds contribute to a generally cool climate for much of the year, particularly harsh in winter and spring.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rodríguez Díez|1981|p=494}}</ref>

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], Astorga falls under the Csb variant,<ref name="CLIM"/> a [[Mediterranean climate]] with mild summers, where the warmest month's average temperature does not exceed 22&nbsp;°C but remains above 10&nbsp;°C for five or more months. This climate is transitional between Mediterranean (Csa) and [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] (Cfb). The city has a [[weather station]] located at El Sierro, managed by the [[State Meteorological Agency]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Tiempo. Datos: Astorga |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/observacion/ultimosdatos?k=cle&l=2734D&w=0&datos=img&x=h24&f=temperatura |access-date=July 13, 2013 |author=AEMET}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Astorga
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = 2.9
|Feb high C = 4.2
|Mar high C = 6.8
|Apr high C = 8.4
|May high C = 12.0
|Jun high C = 16.6
|Jul high C = 20.2
|Aug high C = 19.9
|Sep high C = 16.5
|Oct high C = 11.7
|Nov high C = 6.4
|Dec high C = 3.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 46.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 38.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 29.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 32.1
|May precipitation mm = 42.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 32.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 19.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 18.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 29.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 41.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 41.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 40.7
|source=Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Precipitation and temperature data (1961-2001)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sig.mapama.gob.es/siga/ |title=Estaciones meteorológicas - Astorga-Regimiento de Artillería |access-date=September 30, 2018}}</ref>
}}

== Nature ==
=== Geology ===
Geologically, Astorga is situated in the West Asturian-Leonese Zone, southwest of the Navia-Alto Sil Domain. The most prominent lithological materials in the municipality include Quaternary natural aggregates and [[Miocene]] clays—traditionally used for both industrial and artisanal ceramics—and [[Paleozoic]] quartzites, sandstones, and slates. Over the Miocene alluvial deposits, secondary gold concentrations with low yields are found in both ancient and modern river terraces.<ref name="IGME"/> Stratigraphically, the western part of the municipality features layers from the Los Cabos Series of the Upper [[Cambrian]] and Lower [[Ordovician]], and the Luarca Slates from the Middle Ordovician. Paleozoic outcrops are flanked by Miocene layers, extensively covered by Quaternary sediments that fully overlay the river basins of the Jerga and Tuerto rivers.<ref name="IGME"/><ref name="mapageologico">{{Cite web |url=http://www.igme.es/internet/cartografia/cartografia/datos/magna50/jpg/d1_jpg/Editado_MAGNA50_193.jpg |title=Hoja de Astorga |work=Mapa geológico de España E. 1:50.000 |publisher=Instituto Geológico y Minero de España |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005003/http://www.igme.es/internet/cartografia/cartografia/datos/magna50/jpg/d1_jpg/Editado_MAGNA50_193.jpg |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref>

=== Flora ===
The municipality of Astorga lies within the supramediterranean [[Altitudinal zonation|bioclimatic zone]], with its [[climax vegetation]] comprising [[marcescent]] species and [[conifer]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rivas Martínez |first=Salvador |year=1987 |title=Mapa de series de vegetación de España y memoria |publisher=ICONA |isbn=8485496256 }}</ref><ref name="VEG">{{Cite web |url=http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/provincia-leon/html/diversidad-vegetal-leonesa.php |title=La diversidad vegetal leonesa |access-date=February 6, 2012 |author=Penas Merino, Ángel. Fundación Saber.es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817230637/http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/provincia-leon/html/diversidad-vegetal-leonesa.php |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These include [[Quercus pyrenaica|oak trees]], which grow in the cooler, wetter western areas on Quaternary deposits and predominantly siliceous soils, and reforested pine forests, mainly around Alto del Cuerno, featuring species such as Scots pine. Holm oaks are present, often scattered but forming a homogeneous, though degraded, stand between [[Castrillo de los Polvazares]] and Murias de Rechivaldo, with stunted trees due to historical use for charcoal and firewood, a practice common across the province.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.maragateria.com/naturaleza/naturaleza.htm |title=Naturaleza |access-date=February 6, 2012 |author=Maragateria.com}}</ref> Lower strata include species such as [[genista]]s, [[Lavandula|lavenders]], and [[Trifolium arvense|hare's-foot clover]]. In areas lacking tree cover, primarily on sunny slopes with poor soil and water scarcity, shrubs such as rosemary, ''[[adenocarpus hispanicus]]'', and rockrose dominate. In the Tuerto River floodplain, aside from poplar plantations, aspens, willows, and alders are found. The rest of the municipal territory consists of wastelands and agricultural fields.

=== Fauna ===
[[File:Fuente Moruna, Astorga.jpg|thumb|Moruna Fountain, in the Synagogue Garden]]
[[File:Fuente Encalada.jpg|thumb|Encalada Fountain]]
[[File:Parque de La Eragudina.jpg|thumb|Partial view of La Eragudina Park]]
[[File:Muralla, Palacio Gaudí, Catedral de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Melgar Park, with the monumental complex in the background]]
The municipality is home to a rich and varied fauna due to its transitional position between Mediterranean and Eurosiberian ecosystems.<ref name="FAU">{{Cite web |title=La vida animal en la provincia de León |url=http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/provincia-leon/html/vida-animal-provincia-leon.php |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=Juan Manuel Nieto Nafría. University of León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918162426/http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/provincia-leon/html/vida-animal-provincia-leon.php |archive-date=September 18, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Regarding [[Ichthyology|fish]], Astorga's waters support only two species: the [[common barbel]] and the [[Pseudochondrostoma duriense|northern straight-mouth nase]], accompanied by mammals such as the otter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas de vertebrados de la provincia de León. Listado de peces en el municipio de Astorga |url=http://oslo.geodata.es/gia/php/info_municipios.php?tipo=4&id=24008 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento }}</ref> Among amphibians and reptiles, species include the common toad, [[marbled newt]], [[ocellated lizard]], [[Vipera seoanei|Seoane's viper]], and [[Malpolon monspessulanus|Montpellier snake]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas de vertebrados de la provincia de León. Listado de anfibios y reptiles en el municipio de Astorga |url=http://oslo.geodata.es/gia/php/info_municipios.php?tipo=2&id=24008 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento }}</ref> In the municipality's flat areas, birds such as the kestrel and sparrowhawk, and small mammals such as rabbits and Iberian hares, are found. Near population centers, white storks, swallows, common swifts, wood pigeons, various [[Tit (bird)|tits]], rooks, and raptors such as the [[red kite]] are common.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas de vertebrados de la provincia de León. Listado de aves en el municipio de Astorga |url=http://oslo.geodata.es/gia/php/info_municipios.php?tipo=3&id=24008 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento }}</ref> In pastures or wooded areas, species such as the red partridge, roe deer, weasel, fox, wild boar, and occasionally wolves are present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas de vertebrados de la provincia de León. Listado de mamíferos en el municipio de Astorga |url=http://oslo.geodata.es/gia/php/info_municipios.php?&id=24008 |access-date=June 8, 2013 |author=Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Bellum-Asturicum-Cantabricum.png|thumb|Roman military operations during the [[Cantabrian Wars]]
{{Legend|#EE1E3A|Campaign of {{circa|25 BC}}}}
{{Legend|#52BA65|Campaign of {{circa|26 BC}}}}
{{Legend|#FFCD33|Campaign of [[Julius Caesar]] of {{circa|61 BC}}}}
{{Legend|#C878B2|Campaign of [[Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus|Decimus Junius Brutus]] of {{circa|137 BC}}}}]]
[[File:Museo Arqueológico Nacional - 50310 - Sarcófago de Astorga.jpg|thumb|The discovery of the San Justo de la Vega sarcophagus attests to a Christian community between the 3rd century and 4th century]]

=== Ancient era ===
{{See also|Asturica Augusta}}
The history of Astorga theoretically dates back to the [[List of the Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula|pre-Roman]] period, as the Greco-Egyptian geographer [[Ptolemy]] referred to Asturica as a city of the [[Astures]] and capital of the Amachians. This has led researchers such as [[Manuel Gómez-Moreno Martínez]] and [[José María Luengo Martínez]] to suggest an indigenous origin.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gómez Moreno |first=Manuel |year=1905 |title=Catálogo Monumental de la Provincia de León |location=Madrid|publisher=none }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Luengo |first=José María |year=1953 |title=Astorga (León). Exploración de las cloacas romanas |journal=Noticiario Arqueológico Hispánico II }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Luengo |first=José María |year=1956–61 |title=Astorga Romana |journal=Noticiario Arqueológico Hispánico V }}</ref> However, archaeological excavations in the urban area have not yielded materials to confirm such origins.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mañanes |first=Tomás |year=1983 |title=Astorga romana y su entorno: estudio arqueológico |location=Valladolid |publisher=Universidad de Valladolid. Secretariado de Publicaciones |isbn=84-86192-11-0 }}</ref> Thus, a pre-Roman settlement cannot be scientifically affirmed, despite the presence of several [[Iron Age]] ''[[castra]]'' in the surrounding area, such as La Mesa in Castrillo de los Polvazares.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Los recortes en investigación paralizan las excavaciones del castro de La Mesa |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2012/11/21/leon/los-recortes-en-investigacion-paralizan-las-excavaciones-del-castro-de-la-mesa-167235.htm |last=Reinares |first=M.A. |work=La Crónica de León |date=November 21, 2012 |access-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211093125/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2012/11/21/leon/los-recortes-en-investigacion-paralizan-las-excavaciones-del-castro-de-la-mesa-167235.htm |archive-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

Based on archaeological evidence, the city's foundation is linked to a detachment of the [[Legio X Gemina]] during the [[Cantabrian Wars]]. This is evidenced by the discovery of two defensive trenches and several foundation ditches for possible wooden structures.<ref name="CAMPA">{{Cite journal |last=González |first=Mari Luz |year=1996 |title=Consideraciones sobre el origen campamental de Asturica Augusta |journal=Actas del Coloquio Internacional: Los Finisterres Atlánticos en la Antigüedad. Época Prerromana y Romana |pages=85–90 |location=Gijón }}</ref> After the campaigns of [[Augustus]] against the [[Astures]] and [[Cantabri]], between {{circa|29 BC}} and {{circa|19 BC}}, the camp was established, and following pacification, it transitioned into a civilian settlement within the [[Hispania Tarraconensis|Tarraconensis province]]. This shift likely occurred in the early 1st century, as evidenced by the hospitality pact with the [[Zoelae]] in 27 AD, indicating stabilized Roman-indigenous relations.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=24}}</ref>

Around the transition between the reigns of [[Claudius]] and [[Vespasian]], the city became the capital of the ''[[Conventus Asturum|Conventus Iuridicus Asturum]]'' and a major recipient of gold from mines such as [[Las Médulas]]. This prosperity led [[Pliny the Elder]], then [[Procurator (ancient Rome)|procurator]] of [[Hispania Citerior]], to describe the city in his ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Naturalis Historia]]'' as ''vrbs magnifica''.<ref name="VRBS">{{Cite book |last=Pliny the Elder |year=2002 |title=Historia Natural |location=Madrid |publisher=Cátedra |isbn=9788437619583 }}</ref><ref>"Asturica urbe magnifica". [[Pliny the Elder]], ''Naturalis Historia'', Book III, paragraph 28.</ref> With the territorial reorganization in the 3rd century, the city became part of the [[Gallaecia]] province, with [[Bracara Augusta]] (Braga) as its capital. The decline of mining under [[Diocletian]] marked the beginning of the city's decline.

By the mid-3rd century, Astorga likely became an episcopal see, with Basílides as its first bishop around 249.<ref name="DAT"/> The spread of Christianity faced challenges from [[Barbarian invasions into the Roman Empire of the 3rd century|barbarian invasions]] and the rise of [[Priscillianism|Priscillianist]] and [[Manichaeism|Manichean]] doctrines, which were later opposed by [[Hydatius]] and [[Turibius of Astorga|Saint Turibius]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=27}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:Ordono1of Asturias.jpg|thumb|In the second half of the 9th century, [[Ordoño I of Asturias|Ordoño I]] ordered the repopulation and reconstruction of the city]]
[[File:COA Marquis of Astorga.svg|thumb|In 1465, Henry IV of Castile granted Álvaro Pérez Osorio the title of Marquis of Astorga]]
Following the barbarian invasions, the [[Suebi]] established themselves in the former Gallaecia around 410, and Astorga became part of their kingdom. Conflicts with the Visigoths led to sacks by [[Theodoric II]] in 456<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sayas Abengochea |first=Juan José |title=Historia Antigua de España |volume=II |page=200 |year=2006 |publisher=UNED |isbn=84-362-4398-6}}</ref> and [[Leovigild]] in 569. This resulted in the loss of its status as the capital of the ''conventus'', with the Roman political and administrative system collapsing, and prominence shifting to León. In 714, during the [[Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula]], Astorga was attacked and destroyed by [[Tariq ibn Ziyad|Tariq]] en route north.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=30}}</ref><ref name="COMA">{{Cite journal |last1=Cabero Diéguez |first1=Valentín |last2=López Trigal |first2=Lorenzo |title=La ciudad de Astorga |journal=La provincia de León y sus comarcas |page=240 |publisher=Diario de León |year=1987 |volume=15 |url=http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/la-provincia-de-leon-y-sus-comarcas/html/pdf/fas15.pdf |access-date=November 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412052650/http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/la-provincia-de-leon-y-sus-comarcas/html/pdf/fas15.pdf |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After the emergence of the [[Kingdom of Asturias]] in the mid-8th century, King [[Alfonso I of Asturias]] reconquered Astorga among other cities for the Christians. [[Ordoño I of Asturias]], who ascended the throne in 850, tasked Count Gatón with the city's repopulation and reconstruction.

Years later, the five sons of [[Alfonso III of Asturias]] rebelled against him, leading to the division of the crown upon his abdication. [[García I of León]], who received León, established his court in Astorga for four years until his death in 914. After this, [[Ordoño II of León]] moved the capital to León, marking the birth of the [[Kingdom of León]]. In 988, León was sacked by [[Almanzor]], prompting, according to Víctor Gebhardt, a temporary relocation of the court to Astorga.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gebhardt |first=Víctor |year=1861 |title=Historia general de España y de sus Indias desde los tiempos más remotos hasta nuestros días |volume=III |page=90 |location=Madrid |publisher=Librería Española }}</ref> Astorga itself suffered sieges and plunder by Almanzor's forces in 988, 994, and 996.<ref name="COMA"/>

In 1034, [[Sancho III of Pamplona]] captured Astorga and the rest of León amid disputes with [[Bermudo III of León]]. In 1073, the [[Tenant-in-chief|tenure]] system was established as a form of governance.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Torres Sevilla-Quiñones de León |first=Margarita Cecilia |author-link=Margarita Torres |year=1997 |title=La familia de Diego Ansúrez, conde de Astorga (siglos X-XII) |journal=Astórica: Revista de estudios, documentación, creación y divulgación de temas astorganos |issue=16 |pages=195–204 |issn=0212-6141 }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=31}}</ref> In the early 12th century, it was occupied by [[Theresa, Countess of Portugal]], who took advantage of the disputes between her sister [[Urraca of León and Castile|Urraca I of León]] and [[Alfonso the Battler|Alfonso I of Aragon]]. In 1143, it became the domain of her son, [[Afonso I of Portugal]].

During the reign of [[Ferdinand III of Castile]], territorial administration shifted from [[Tenencia|''tenencias'']] to lordships. For Astorga, this occurred around 1277, but in 1345, [[Alfonso XI of Castile]] decided the city would be governed by a magistrate and several councilmen.

From 1367 to the end of the century, Astorga faced a crisis due to the plague, conflicts between [[Peter of Castile|Peter I of Castile]] and [[Henry II of Castile]], and economic hardship. During this period, Astorgan merchants maintained trade with various Galician towns, possibly laying the foundation for future [[Arriero|muleteering]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Rodríguez Díez|1981|p=226}}</ref>

On July 16, 1465, through a privilege granted in [[Toro, Zamora|Toro]], [[Henry IV of Castile]] awarded Álvar Pérez Osorio, Count of Trastámara, Lord of Villalobos, and Castroverde, the title of Marquis of Astorga, shifting the city to a feudal status.<ref name="MARQUES">{{Cite journal |last=Martín Fuertes |first=José Antonio |year=1983 |title=El Marquesado de Astorga. Introducción a su historia |journal=Astórica: Revista de estudios, documentación, creación y divulgación de temas astorganos |issue=1 |pages=39–56 |issn=0212-6141}}</ref> The marquisate exerted significant influence over the city's governance, impacting areas controlled by the cathedral chapter.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=36}}</ref>

=== Early modern period ===
The 16th century was marked, in its early years, by the [[Revolt of the Comuneros|Comuneros War]] (1520–1521); Astorga sided with the royalists, as the marquis supported [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles I]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=38}}</ref> This period saw the establishment of numerous [[confraternity|confraternities]] that aided the poor and pilgrims through hospitals, a practice reinforced by the Camino de Santiago's passage through the city. This tradition of hospitality is preserved in institutions such as the San Juan Bautista and the Cinco Llagas hospitals.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=39}}</ref> The Church's influence was pervasive, not only through moral authority but also because the cathedral chapter owned extensive rural and urban properties.

The arrival of the printing press in 1545, introduced by Agustín de Paz, boosted written production, initially focused on [[Roman Missal|missals]] and ecclesiastical works such as Francisco de Evia's ''Thesaurus Angelorum''. This marked the start of a printing tradition with figures such as Antonio de la Calzada, peaking in the late 19th century and early 20th century, when Astorga had more printing presses than the provincial capital, including those of Antonio Gullón, Juan Alonso, Porfirio López, Nicesio Fidalgo, González Revillo, and Ortiz.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=180}}</ref>

During the 18th century, the city achieved some prosperity, with daily life featuring jousting with canes, bullfights in the Plaza Mayor, [[bowling]]—regulated in 1601—theatrical performances, and sacramental functions.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=40}}</ref> Between the 18th century and 19th century, Astorga's territory was affected by the division of the province into cantons and jurisdictions, later modified during the Peninsular War.

=== Modern era ===
[[File:Manuel García Prieto.jpg|thumb|[[Manuel García Prieto]] served as prime minister multiple times between 1912 and 1922]]
{{See also|Siege of Astorga}}

In the early 19th century, the city's growth stalled due to epidemics and the [[Peninsular War|French occupation]]. Astorga was among the first cities to revolt against the French, with a peasant and laborer uprising on May 2, 1808.<ref name="Alonso González 2000 42"/> In June, the Junta of Armament and Defense was formed. French forces entered on December 31, 1808, and the city changed hands multiple times, with heroic defenses led by General [[José María Santocildes]], until the French surrendered on August 17, 1812, following a strategy by Generals [[Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén|Castaños]] and [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Wellesley]]. General Santocildes documented these events in his ''Historical Summary of the Attacks, Siege, and Surrender of Astorga''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Santocildes |first=José María |title=Resumen histórico de los ataques, sitio y rendición de Astorga |url=http://saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/resumen-historico-de-los-ataques-sitio-rendicion-de-astorga/resumen-historico-de-los-ataques-sitio-rendicion-de-astorga.pdf |access-date=June 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203071418/http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/resumen-historico-de-los-ataques-sitio-rendicion-de-astorga/resumen-historico-de-los-ataques-sitio-rendicion-de-astorga.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After [[Ferdinand VII of Spain]]'s restoration, he abolished the [[Spanish Constitution of 1812|1812 Constitution]], reverting to [[Absolutism (European history)|absolutism]], a move welcomed by Astorga's ecclesiastical, noble, and bourgeois sectors. The influence of the bishopric and cathedral chapter persisted through the 19th century and 20th century.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=44}}</ref> During [[Joseph Bonaparte]]'s brief rule, a [[History of the territorial organization of Spain|new territorial organization]] was proposed, with Astorga heading the Esla Department.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Melón Ruiz de Gordejuela |first=Amando |title=El mapa prefectural de España (1810) |journal=Estudios geográficos |pages=689–762 |publisher=CSIC |date=1977 |issn=0014-1496}}</ref> This plan failed, and in 1820, during the [[Trienio Liberal]], a new division made Astorga one of the province's eleven districts, but this was annulled in 1823. In 1833, with the [[1833 territorial division of Spain|new territorial reorganization]], Astorga and Maragatería were incorporated into the [[Province of León]].

[[File:1906, Northern Spain, pp. 068-069, Astorga.jpg|left|thumb|General view of Astorga at the start of the 20th century]]
During [[Isabel II of Spain]]'s reign and after the [[Spanish Constitution of 1845|1845 Constitution]], Astorga was represented by the progressive Santiago Alonso Cordero. In subsequent decades, other representatives included [[Pío Gullón Iglesias]], part of the political alternative to [[Antonio Cánovas del Castillo]], and [[Manuel García Prieto]], who served as prime minister several times, the last in 1922, before [[Miguel Primo de Rivera]]'s coup.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=47}}</ref>

With the outbreak of the [[Spanish Civil War]] on [[Spanish coup of July 1936|July 18, 1936]], after miners' columns passed through toward Asturias, the Civil Guard and military took control of Astorga on July 20, keeping it—along with most of the province—in rebel territory. The [[Spanish transition to democracy|Transition]] and democracy's arrival spurred further development, diversifying the economy through tourism, increased road transport, and revitalization as a regional hub.

== Religion ==
[[File:Dios Tilenus.jpg|thumb|Near Mount Teleno, a plaque was found with the inscription ''Marti Tileno'', an indigenous god, lord of the mountain, whom the Romans likened to [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]].]]
Religion has consistently shaped Astorga's historical development. No evidence of indigenous deities is recorded in Astorgan territory, likely due to its Roman military origin, but the presence of the god Caraedudi is noted in Cuevas—near Celada de la Vega—<ref>[http://www.academia.edu/5801956/Asturica_Augusta._Reflexiones_sobre_su_estatuto_y_su_papel_territorial_finales_del_siglo_I_a._C.-principios_del_siglo_III_d._C._ Refers to the god on p. 107.] Accessed February 27, 2014.</ref><ref>Caraedudi is the dative form ending in *i* of a Celtic-origin god's name. The word derives from "cara," from the Celtic Carus, meaning "stone," commonly seen in Celtiberian toponymy. Cf: José María Blázquez, Religiones primitivas de Hispania, Madrid-Roma, 1962, p. 76.</ref> and a plaque dedicated to Marti Tileno was found in [[Quintana del Marco]].

=== Paganism ===
[[File:Bronze youth chlamys Sous-Parsat CdM Paris.jpg|thumb|Mercury was among the gods worshipped in Astorga]]
;Roman and Greek Gods
With the establishment of the Roman camp, both Roman and Greek gods were adopted in religious practice, with evidence of the following cults in the city:
* [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]], the war god aiding the camp, known in Astorga as Gradivus—also associated with crop growth—and Sagatus, referencing the soldiers' ''sagum'' or campaign cloak.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Guillén |first=José |year=1994 |title=Vrbs Roma Vida y costumbres de los romanos III. Religión y Ejército |page=203 |publisher=Sígueme |isbn=84-301-0801-7}}</ref>
* [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]], god of commerce and roads, with a single representation found on a secondary route from Astorga to the [[Las Médulas]] gold mines.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mañanes |first=Tomás |year=1981 |title=El Bierzo prerromano y romano |pages=313, 314, 342 |location=León |publisher=Centro de Estudios e Investigación "San Isidoro" |isbn=8400049438}}</ref>
* Worship of the Emperor and worship of the Empress, natural for a capital of the [[Conventus Asturum|''Conventus Juridicus'']], housing numerous officials.
* Julia Domna, revered as the mother of the emperor, senate, camp, and homeland, worshipped through the goddesses [[Minerva]] and [[Juno (mythology)|Juno]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Vázquez Hoys |first=A. María |year=1987 |title=Creencias religiosas |journal=Historia General de España y América. Constitución y ruina de la España romana |volume=II |page=419 |location=Madrid |publisher=Rialp}}</ref>
* [[Proserpina]], daughter of [[Ceres (mythology)|Ceres]], known in Astorga as Invicta.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grimal |first=Pierre |year=1994 |title=Diccionario de mitología griega y romana |page=374 |publisher=Ediciones Paidós Ibérica |isbn=9788449322112}}</ref>
* [[Apollo]], protector of the emperor, associated in Astorga with the Celtic god [[Grannus]], meaning "garnet", "bright as scarlet", or "shining like the sun", with a sanctuary in [[Trier]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bandinelli |year=1984 |title=L'Arte romana |page=98 |location=Roma |publisher=Riuniti |isbn=8835927420}}</ref>
Representations of [[Asclepius]] and his son [[Telesphorus (mythology)|Telesphorus]], linked to medicine and healing, have also been found.

;Oriental gods
Due to its status as a ''conventus'' capital and home to senior imperial officials, dedications to Eastern gods appeared in the late 2nd century and early 3rd century, introduced by the [[Severan dynasty]] and high-ranking Eastern officials such as Ioul or Silvanos Melanion, sometimes inscribed in Greek.
* [[Isis]], depicted with the Greek epithet Myronimo—thousand names—symbolizing her roles as protector of the land, food producer, patron of childbirth, and women's health.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Aymard |first1=André |last2=Auboyer |first2=Jeannine |year=1979 |title=Roma y su imperio |journal=Historia general de las civilizaciones |volume=II |page=410 |location=Barcelona |publisher=Destino |isbn=8423310426}}</ref>
* [[Mithra]], Persian sun god absorbed by Rome, referenced in Astorga by inscriptions such as ''Invicto Deo'' and ''Soli Invicto''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=García Bellido |first=Antonio |year=1956 |title=El culto a Serapis en la península ibérica |journal=Boletín de la Real Academia de Historia |volume=139 |pages=293–355}}</ref>
* [[Serapis]], an Egyptian god often paired with Isis, associated with health and healing, honored with amulets and ex-votos.

=== Christianity and the Episcopal See ===
{{See also|Diocese of Astorga}}

Until Christianity's arrival, religion in Astorga was polytheistic. With Christianity, monotheism emerged, along with churches dedicated to revered saints such as Saint Martin, Saint [[Acisclus]], Saint Christopher, and Saint Martha.

Records confirm that Decencius, Bishop of León, attended the [[Council of Elvira]] between 295 and 314, where 37 Iberian bishops gathered, indicating that León and Astorga jointly formed one of the earliest Christian sees in Hispania.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Quintana |first=Augusto |year=1970 |title=Los primeros siglos del cristianismo en el Convento Jurídico Asturicense |journal=AA. VV., Legio VII Gemina |page=469 |location=León}}</ref> After the [[Edict of Milan]] in 313, León's military character made it heavily influenced by [[Mithraism]], popular among soldiers, and the episcopal see was relocated solely to Astorga. By then, Astorga had lost political influence due to [[Diocletian]]'s provincial reorganization, which stripped it of its ''conventus'' capital status;<ref group="note">This capital status passed to [[Bracara Augusta]].</ref> the transfer of the diocese helped maintain its prominence, now in the religious sphere.<ref group="note">The most significant Christian artifact from this new episcopal see is a sarcophagus decorated with six scenes from the Old and New Testaments, imported from Rome.</ref>

Documents provide evidence of Astorga's bishops from 380, when Simposius attended the first Council of Zaragoza.<ref>{{Cite journal |editor-last=Vives |editor-first=José |editor2-last=Marín Martínez |editor2-first=Tomás |editor3-last=Martínez Díez |editor3-first=Gonzalo |year=1963 |title=Concilios Visigóticos e Hispano-Romanos |journal=España cristiana |volume=1 |page=72 |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas]], Instituto Enrique Flórez}}</ref> Astorgan bishops participated in the various Councils of Toledo, starting with Dictinius. Discussions included the maintenance and worship of rural churches, many of which survived as medieval hermitages and sanctuaries, such as the Virgin of Castrotierra hermitage, located at an ancient Iron Age site.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Puertas Tricas |first=Rafael |title=Iglesias Hispánicas (siglo IV al VIII): Testimonios literarios |location=Madrid |year=1975 |pages=314 |isbn=84-369-0387-0|publisher=none}}</ref>
[[File:Reccared I Conversión, by Muñoz Degrain, Senate Palace, Madrid.jpg|thumb|Conversion of Reccared to Christianity]]
Besides conciliar records, [[Hydatius]]'s ''Chronicle'' documents Astorgan bishops throughout the 5th century. During [[Turibius of Astorga|Saint Turibius's]] episcopate (440–480), invasions by Suebi, Vandals, and Alans, as well as Visigothic attacks led to the destruction of Astorgan churches.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tranoy |first=Alain |year=1974 |title=Hydace Chronique |pages=158–159 |location=Paris |publisher=ed du Cerf}}</ref> During Turibius's tenure, the [[Manichaeism|Manichean]] heresy emerged, addressed at the Astorgan Council of 456,<ref>E. Flórez, E. S., XVI, 314. Citation from the Catalogue of the Ages of Man.</ref> followed by [[Arianism]] around 585, until [[Reccared I|Reccared]]'s conversion to Christianity in 589 at the [[Third Council of Toledo]], under Bishop [[Talasius]]. Astorgan bishops attended all subsequent [[Councils of Toledo]], up to the XVI Council in 693.<ref group='note'>Three heresies emerged in Astorga's Christian church: Manichaeism, Priscillianism, and Arianism.</ref>

In the Middle Ages, the diocese was restructured. During the repopulation period, Christian life was revitalized, and several churches and monasteries emerged within the city, including those of Saint Christopher, Saint Julian and Saint Basilisa, Saint Acisclus, Saint Salvador, Saint Thomas, Saint Martin, Saint Isidore, and Saint Peter.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rodríguez Díez|1981|pp=581–634}}</ref> Outside the city, the San Dictino monastery was founded. In the 11th century, the Santa María Cathedral, several churches, and the San Juan Bautista hospital were built, along with additional churches, the Santa Clara monastery, and the Santo Tomás Cantuariense hospital outside the city.

Below is a list of Astorga's bishops who attended various councils in Hispania, as documented by the councils' records:
* Polibius attended the first Council of Braga in 561.
* Talasius attended the Third Council of Toledo in 589.
* Concordius attended the Fourth Council of Toledo in 633.
* Oscandus attended the Sixth Council of Toledo in 638.
* Presbyter Paul, representing Bishop Candidatus, attended the Seventh Council of Toledo in 646.
* Bishop Candidatus attended the Eighth Council of Toledo in 653.
* Elpidius attended the Tenth Council of Toledo in 656.
* Isidore attended the Third Council of Braga.
* Abbot Leopardo, representing Bishop Aurelius, attended the Thirteenth Council of Toledo in 683.
* Aurelius attended the Fifteenth Council of Toledo in 688.
* Aurelius attended the Sixteenth Council of Toledo in 693.

Subsequent records of the diocese and its bishops relate to the city's repopulation and the restoration of the bishopric during the [[Reconquista]].<ref>{{Cite book |editor=García Villoslada, Ricardo |title=La iglesia en la España romana y visigoda (siglos I-VIII) |publisher=Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos |location=Madrid |date=1979 |volume=1 |series=Historia de la Iglesia en España |last1=Sotomayor |first1=M |last2=García |first2=T. G. |last3=de Osaba |first3=P. L. |pages=408 ff |isbn=9788422009061 |others=Note from the Catalogue of the Ages of Man}}</ref> The Diocese of Astorga has been under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Oviedo since 1954.

[[File:Nuevos bloques.jpg|thumb|Population growth has been stagnant in recent years. Pictured are newly constructed apartment blocks]]

== Demographics ==
The municipality has a population of 10,308 inhabitants ([[National Statistics Institute (Spain)|INE]] 2024). Unlike cities such as León and Ponferrada, Astorga has not significantly attracted residents from surrounding regions and grew slowly during the 20th century, reaching its peak in 1981, though the 1940 figure was inflated by the presence of soldiers and prisoners from the Civil War.

Since the 1980s, the city has experienced a slight but steady population decline due to aging demographics, fewer births, and emigration to more dynamic centers. In 2011, Astorga ranked 25th among Spain's 100 municipalities with the highest median age, at 46.63 years compared to the national average of 44.1.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=/t20/e244/avance/p03/l0/&file=06002.px&type=pcaxis&L=0 |title=Censos de Población y Viviendas 2011. Resultados Municipales. Municipios con edad media más alta |author=Instituto Nacional de Estadística, España |access-date=July 6, 2014}}</ref>

;Population growth
{{Historical populations
|title = Demographic evolution of Astorga between 1842 and 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ine.es/intercensal/intercensal.do?search=1&cmbTipoBusq=0&textoMunicipio=astorga&btnBuscarDenom=Consultar+selecci%F3n |title=Alteraciones de los municipios en los Censos de Población desde 1842. Astorga |author=Instituto Nacional de Estadística (España) |accessdate=12 December 2011}}</ref>
|type = line
|align = center
|width = 700
|caption = Population of Astorga according to the [[Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)|INE]] population censuses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ine.es/intercensal/intercensal.do?search=1&cmbTipoBusq=0&textoMunicipio=astorga&btnBuscarDenom=Consultar+selección |title=Changes in Municipalities in Population Censuses since 1842. Astorga |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain) |access-date=December 12, 2011}}</ref>
|1842 |2853
|1857 |4804
|1860 |4830
|1877 |4749
|1887 |5248
|1897 |5497
|1900 |5696
|1910 |5937
|1920 |6659
|1930 |8041
|1940 |13952
|1950 |9032
|1960 |9152
|1970 |11103
|1981 |12757
|1991 |12500
|2001 |12242
|2011 |11801
|2021 |10561
|footnote = {{legend|#99B2FF|[[De jure]] population according to the INE population censuses.}} {{legend|#007fcc|[[De facto]] population according to the INE population censuses.}}
In 1975, the municipality's boundaries expanded due to the incorporation of Castrillo de los Polvazares.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Technical General Secretariat |title=Variations of Spanish Municipalities since 1842 |publisher=Government of Spain |year=2008 |location=Madrid |edition=1st |url=https://www.hacienda.gob.es/Documentacion/Publico/SGT/CATALOGO_SEFP/100_Variaciones-INTERNET.pdf |access-date=November 28, 2023}}</ref>
}}

;Foreign population
In 2022, the registered foreign population totaled 484, with the most numerous nationalities being Moroccan (174), Bulgarian (51), Portuguese (34), Venezuelan (33), Romanian (25), Colombian (19), Chinese (17), Argentine (12), and Pakistani (12).<ref>{{Cite web
 |url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=33826
 |title=Población por sexo, municipios y nacionalidad (principales nacionalidades). León
 |author=Instituto Nacional de Estadística
 |access-date=May 15, 2023
}}</ref>

;Population distribution
The [[Singular population entity|populated areas]] within the municipality of Astorga are as follows:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Populated areas of Astorga<ref name="nomen">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ine.es/nomen2/index.do |title=Nomenclator: Population by population unit |access-date=June 29, 2025 |publisher=National Statistics Institute (Spain)}}</ref>
|-
! Populated areas
! Coordinates
! Pop. (2024)
|-
| Astorga
| {{Coord|42|27|32|N|6|03|48|W|type:city}}
| style="text-align:right;" | 9,910
|-
| [[Castrillo de los Polvazares]]
| {{Coord|42|27|54|N|6|07|43|W|type:city}}
| style="text-align:right;" | 97
|-
| Murias de Rechivaldo
| {{Coord|42|27|37|N|6|06|15|W|type:city}}
| style="text-align:right;" | 104
|-
| Santa Catalina de Somoza
| {{Coord|42|27|16|N|6|09|31|W|type:city}}
| style="text-align:right;" | 46
|-
| Valdeviejas
| {{Coord|42|27|41|N|6|04|44|W}}
| style="text-align:right;" | 135
|-
| Total
|
| style="text-align:right;" | 10,292
|-
! colspan="3" | <small>Source: [[National Statistics Institute (Spain)|INE, 2024]]</small><ref name="nomen"/>
|}

== Urban planning ==
[[File:Canalización romana.jpg|thumb|The first water channeling system was built in Roman times]]

===The ancient city===
The urban planning of Astorga has historically been shaped by the terrain's topography, with the settlement established in ancient times atop a natural ridge. After the Cantabrian Wars ended and the military camp transitioned into an urban center, the city experienced a period of growth driven by the development of mining activities, which peaked between the 1st century and 3rd century. This led to Astorga becoming the seat of the ''concillium'' (a meeting of delegates from indigenous tribes), the [[Imperial cult (ancient Rome)|imperial cult]], and the ''Conventus Asturicensis''. The city spanned 26 hectares, enclosed by a city wall over two kilometers long. The enclosure's shape was not rectangular due to a narrowing of the ridge at its southern corner, resulting in a triangular layout where the [[Forum (Roman)|forum]] was located. Public buildings were erected, streets—some with porticos—were paved, and a sewer network was constructed, alongside sophisticated domestic architecture. By the 3rd century, Astorga's role as an [[episcopal see]] further defined the city's life in subsequent centuries.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=164}}</ref>

With the [[fall of the Western Roman Empire]], Astorga, like many other urban centers, experienced a period of decline that lasted until the [[Early Middle Ages]], when recovery began. By then, the urban core—still enclosed within its walls—consisted of houses with straw and tile roofs built over the original Roman layout.
[[File:Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Fátima.jpg|thumb|During the medieval period, numerous religious buildings were constructed. Pictured is the former church of San Julián]]

===The medieval city===
In the 9th century, the repopulation policies of Ordoño I led to a population increase over several decades, resulting in the emergence of new neighborhoods and the clearing of nearby lands. During the 12th century and 13th century, new churches began replacing the earlier high-medieval monasteries, which were gradually disappearing. Two key factors shaped the city during the medieval period: the contributions of the Jewish population, which built a [[synagogue]], a cistern, and a cemetery,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rodríguez Fernández |first=Justiniano |year=1976 |title=Las juderías de la provincia de León |location=León |publisher=Centro de Estudios e Investigación "San Isidoro" |isbn=84-00-04301-4 }}</ref> and the development of the Camino de Santiago, which spurred the construction of hospitals. The urban landscape featured contiguous buildings along narrow streets, plots, orchards, and religious enclosures; by the 12th century, houses typically included a courtyard, wine press, cellar, [[granary]], dovecote, and garden.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|pp=165-166}}</ref>

The construction of religious buildings continued in subsequent centuries; by the 15th century, there were up to eight churches, several of which later disappeared, such as those of San Dictino and San Feliz. A similar fate befell some monasteries, with older ones such as San Martín and San Francisco vanishing. Meanwhile, various chapels funded by [[guild]]s were built, including San Esteban, San Adrián, San Felipe Neri, and San Pedro, along with numerous hospitals due to the growth of the Camino de Santiago. Additionally, from 1471, the construction of the [[Astorga Cathedral|new cathedral]] began.

===The modern city===
In the late 17th century, Manuel de la Lastra designed the layout of the Plaza Mayor and constructed the Town Hall, where the municipal council meetings, previously held in the atrium of the church of San Bartolomé as was customary in Leonese [[Concejo abierto|open councils]], were henceforth conducted.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=170}}</ref> By the 18th century, the city was organized into four parishes—San Bartolomé, San Miguel, San Julián, and Santa Marta—with the suburbs of San Andrés, Puerta de Rey, and Rectivía located outside the walls. Connections to other parts of the peninsula were limited to cart roads in varying states of repair, and several authors, such as [[Antonio Ponz]] and [[Alexandre de Laborde]], lamented between 1787 and 1807 the poor condition, irregularity, and lack of cleanliness of the city's streets.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=171}}</ref>

[[File:Avenida Ponferrada, Astorga.jpg|thumb|View of Ponferrada Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in the contemporary city]]

===The contemporary city===
After the end of the War of Independence, which directly impacted Astorga, the city began its recovery through commercial and industrial activity, particularly with the development of the chocolate industry. In the final years of the century, the city, which had previously seen limited expansion, began to grow beyond the walled enclosure: on February 19, 1866, the railway arrived with the opening of the León-Astorga section of the [[León–A Coruña railway|León-La Coruña railway line]], and on July 1, 1898, the Plasencia-Astorga railway line was inaugurated. This dual rail connection spurred growth in the San Andrés and Puerta de Rey neighborhoods, while the link between the [[N-6 road (Spain)|Madrid-La Coruña]] highway and the [[N-120 road (Spain)|León]] road benefited the rest of the city. This development was accompanied by the inauguration of the [[water supply network|water supply system]] in 1889—replacing an earlier project from 1782–1787 called "Viaje de Aguas"—which eliminated the need to fetch water from the Fuente Encalada spring, and the installation of electric lighting in 1897.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=172}}</ref>

In the 20th century, specifically in 1924, the Santocildes military barracks were inaugurated. During the second quarter of the century, the urban core expanded northward and westward, though the Civil War slowed this growth. Examples of expansion in subsequent decades include the areas of Santa Clara, Manjarín, Candelas, Cuatro Caminos, and the Pandorado road. In 1996, two green spaces, previously scarce in the urban core, were created with the transformation of La Eragudina into a garden and El Melgar into a recreational area.

Since 1985, a Comprehensive Plan for the Protection of Buildings declared ''[[Bien de Interés Cultural]]'', another for the preservation of facades, and a third for the recovery of unique elements have been in place. These initiatives have led to the rehabilitation of spaces such as the Aljibe, Plaza de la Culebra, and Plaza Romana, as well as the pedestrianization of the so-called Monumental Axis, between Puerta Sol and Plaza Eduardo de Castro.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=190}}</ref>

===Parks and gardens===
[[File:Jardines en Astorga.jpg|thumb|Melgar Park]]
The city features several green spaces, with the Synagogue Garden standing out for its historical significance. In the last decades of the 20th century, the parks of La Eragudina, El Melgar, and El Mayuelo were added.

The Synagogue Garden, previously known as San Francisco, Alfonso XIII, and Generalísimo, is the city's oldest park, established in 1835.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=160}}</ref> The area it occupies was part of the Jewish quarter, where the synagogue was located, hence its name. Three years after the project's inception, the leveling of the significantly sloped terrain was completed. By early 1840, the works were finished, and the garden, one of Spain's first romantic-style gardens according to Roberto Alonso,<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Jardín de Astorga |url=http://www.astorga.com/articulo/jardin.htm |access-date=8 June 2013 |author=Roberto Alonso}}</ref> featured a rockery fountain, hedges, and walkways, later complemented by a rose garden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Jardín o Parque de la Sinagoga |url=http://www.astorga.com/articulo/callesyp.htm#JARDIN |access-date=8 June 2013 |author=Martín Martínez}}</ref> From this garden begins what was once the ''[[chemin de ronde]]'' of the city wall, which over time became the city's main promenade.

The Mayuelo Park, located halfway between the urban core and the Sierro hill, occupies a meadow area with several springs, some of which were used for drinking water or laundry. In the mid-1970s, a fountain was built over one of the springs, playground equipment was installed, and trees were planted. In 1993, the Town Council developed a project for the park, which spans over 7,000 square meters. The project included a central tree-lined walkway, children's play areas, and recreational spaces. The fountain was also remodeled by the Workshop School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parque del Mayuelo |url=http://www.rectivia.org/p1a1-40.html |access-date=8 June 2013 |author=Rectivía.org}}</ref>

The La Eragudina field, a former recreational area of the marquises of Astorga near the Jerga River, was transformed into a garden in 1996, featuring newly planted tree species such as [[Salix|willows]], ashes, maples, and poplars, along with a fountain and recreational areas.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=177}}</ref> In the same year, the area at the foot of the city wall, known as El Melgar, was also converted into a park, with the surroundings of the Roman Gate, behind the [[apse]] of the cathedral, being landscaped.

Other recreational areas in the city include the Aljibe Park, near the cathedral and named after a medieval water cistern, and the surroundings of Fuente Encalada. This fountain, built in 1674 and remodeled in 1788 in a neoclassical style, now features a landscaped setting.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

== Economy ==
[[File:Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry]]
[[File:Silo de Astorga 02.jpg|thumb|Former grain silo]]
The city's economic structure is characterized by weak industrial activity, with a strong reliance on the [[tertiary sector]], public administration, and, to a lesser extent, construction. Agriculture remains significant in the municipality's rural areas.

=== Business activity and employment ===
As of March 2013, the municipality had 596 establishments employing 2,280 workers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jcyl.es/sie/sas/broker?_PROGRAM=mddbpgm.v2.indexv2.scl&_SERVICE=sasweb&_DEBUG=0&menu=index |title=Número de trabajadores y número de establecimientos. Astorga |publisher=Sistema de Información Estadística. Junta de Castilla y León |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> In 2007, of the total employed population in the municipality, 1.3% worked in the primary sector, 14.6% in industry, 14.6% in construction, and the majority, 69.5%, were employed in the service sector, highlighting its importance to the municipal economy.<ref name="CE"/> Unemployment in the 21st century rose from 176 people in May 2005 to 778 in March 2020, with 341 men and 437 women.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sepe.es/HomeSepe/que-es-el-sepe/estadisticas/datos-estadisticos/municipios.html |title=Paro registrado y contratos por municipios |access-date=9 May 2020 |author=Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal}}</ref>

{{Vertical bar chart|width=600|color1=Green|full_name=Vertical bar chart showing the evolution of the unemployment rate in Astorga between 2006 and 2019<ref name="macro">{{Cite web |url=https://datosmacro.expansion.com/paro/espana/municipios/castilla-leon/leon/astorga |title=Paro por municipios: Astorga - (León) |author=Expansión |access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref>|2006|14.91|2007|16.90|2008|17.81|2009|20.16|2010|20.67|2011|21.54|2012|25.48|2013|25.60|2014|23.90|2015|23.79|2016|21.00|2017|18.78|2018|17.73|2019|17.25|notes=Source: National Statistics Institute of Spain - Graphic elaboration by Wikipedia}}

=== Primary sector ===
[[File:Mercado semanal, Astorga.jpg|thumb|Partial view of the weekly market, where products from Astorga and surrounding regions are sold]]
In 2011, the municipality had an agricultural area of 1,045.8 [[hectare]]s, of which 1,021.5 hectares were arable land, divided between dry farming and irrigated crops located east of the municipality along the Tuerto River. Another 15 hectares were used for vegetable gardens, and 8.3 hectares for fruit trees.<ref name="CE"/> The wine sector was a cornerstone of the city's economy, particularly between the 13th century and 15th century, but by the 17th century, wine had to be imported from [[Rueda, Valladolid|Rueda]] or [[Toro, Zamora|Toro]] due to the gradual disappearance of vineyard land,<ref>{{Harvnp|Rodríguez Díez|1981|p=237}}</ref> leaving only one hectare.<ref name="CE"/> The remaining land is distributed among pastures (2,339.6 hectares), forest species (557.9 hectares), and other non-agricultural spaces (706.2 hectares). Overall, the [[primary sector]] employed 1.3% of workers and accounted for 0.5% of businesses,<ref name="CE"/> reflecting the tertiarization of the municipal economy. Agricultural activity remains present in the various hamlets, while it is nearly nonexistent in the municipal seat.

=== Secondary sector ===
[[File:Poligonoastorga.jpg|thumb|Partial view of the industrial estate next to the [[Autovía A-6|A-6]]]]
[[File:Cecinas Pablo en Astorga. Junta de Castilla y León. 2017.jpg|thumb|Cecinas Pablo plant in Astorga]]
In 2007, industry was the second most significant economic activity, employing 29.2% of workers and accounting for 24.5% of businesses.<ref name="CE"/> Most industries are light and generate minimal pollution. The most prominent belong to the [[food industry]], with companies such as Cecinas Pablo, Dulces La Mallorquina, and Alonso, focusing on traditional products such as [[Puff pastry|puff pastries]], [[Mantecadas de Astorga|''mantecadas'']], and [[Cecina de León|''cecina'']]; Astorga is the seat of the [[denomination of origin]] for the latter two. Although now minor, the chocolate industry was significant from the mid-19th century to the first third of the 20th century; in 1916, there were 41 manufacturers, four of which remain active. Their legacy, including wrappers, posters, lithographs, and old machinery, is preserved in the Chocolate Museum.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso|2000|p=212}}</ref> The [[textile industry]] was also present, though only one factory survives, along with remnants such as a washhouse.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alonso González |first=Pablo |year=2008 |title=Arqueología industrial y patrimonio: ¿presente + pasado = futuro? la gestión del patrimonio cultural e industrial de Astorga (II) |journal=Argutorio: Revista de la Asociación Cultural "Monte Irago" |issue=21 (year 9) |pages=48–53 |issn=1575-801X |url=http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=2696416 |access-date=17 November 2013}}</ref>

Most industrial activity is concentrated in the industrial estate, promoted by the Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Its development has occurred in four phases: the first (1991) with 65,000 m², the second with nearly 50,000 m², the third (2007) with 79,000 m², and the fourth (2011), still under development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.proastorga.es/poligono-industrial/ |title=El Polígono |author=Proyección Industrial de Astorga |access-date=28 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612021035/http://www.proastorga.es/poligono-industrial/ |archive-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> In 2011, the city had 2 energy and water companies, 5 chemical companies, 24 metallurgical companies, and 66 manufacturing companies, totaling 97 industrial businesses. The construction sector recorded 100 businesses.<ref name="CAIXA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.anuarieco.lacaixa.comunicacions.com/java/X |title=Anuario Económico de España, 2011 La Caixa (Astorga) |publisher=La Caixa |date=2011 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714000428/http://www.anuarieco.lacaixa.comunicacions.com/java/X |archive-date=14 July 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Calle Pío Gullón.jpg|thumb|The pedestrianization of part of the historic center has fostered the development of small-scale commerce]]

=== Tertiary sector ===
In 2007, the service sector was prominent, employing 69.5% of workers and comprising 75% of businesses.<ref name="CE"/> The city serves as an economic hub for surrounding regions such as [[Maragatería]] and [[La Cepeda]], resulting in intense commercial activity; in 2012, there were 60 wholesale businesses, and in 2011, 316 retail businesses, including 114 in food retail (16 supermarkets), 188 in non-food retail, and 14 in mixed retail.<ref name="CAIXA"/> In 2012, there were 14 deposit institutions, including five banks and six savings banks.

Cultural tourism plays a significant role in the service sector due to the city's historical and monumental heritage, its festivals, and its position on the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata.<ref>{{Cite news |title=La Vía de la Plata y la Ruta Romana se consolidan como oferta turística |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/la-via-de-plata-y-ruta-romana-se-consolidan-como-oferta-turistica_763218.html |access-date=29 June 2013 |date=24 January 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> Nearby, notable villages such as [[Castrillo de los Polvazares]] and [[Santiago Millas]], and iconic Camino de Santiago sites such as [[Foncebadón]], stand out. In March 2013, the municipality had 47 tourism establishments, including three travel agencies, nine rural tourism accommodations (115 beds), 16 hotels (549 beds), and 47 restaurants.<ref name="SIE">{{Cite web |title=Servicio de Información Estadística |url=http://www.jcyl.es/sie/v2/turismov2irAmodulo.html |access-date=29 June 2013 |author=Junta de Castilla y León}}</ref> In 2011, there were 115 cafés and bars.<ref name="CE"/> Since 2004, the city has had a parking area for motorhomes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Área de Astorga |url=http://www.lapaca.org/areas/ficha_area.php?area_id=29 |access-date=13 July 2013 |author=Plataforma Autocaravanas Autónoma (PACA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234618/http://www.lapaca.org/areas/ficha_area.php?area_id=29 |archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>

== Symbols and titles ==
The municipal [[coat of arms]] is described as follows:<ref name="SIM">{{Cite web |title=Escudo y bandera |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/municipio/escudo-bandera/ |access-date=8 November 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304034233/http://www.aytoastorga.es/municipio/escudo-bandera/ |archive-date=4 March 2014}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Gules, an oak branch in its natural color. At the crest, a marquess's coronet.}}

The date of its initial use is unknown. A 1320 document features a seal of the Astorga Council depicting a castle with three towers and a tree.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=222}}</ref> By 1635, the current shield was in use, as seen in Pedro Junco's work ''Fundación, nombres y armas de la ciudad de Astorga''. Junco interpreted that the city's ancient name—Roma—led to the term ''robur'', hence the depiction of an [[oak]], with ''[[Quercus robur]]'' being one of the most common species, symbolizing strength, firmness, and fortitude, akin to the attributes of solidity and longevity in [[classical mythology]]. The red field mirrors that of Rome, symbolizing the blood of enemies attempting to conquer the city.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Junco |first=Pedro |title=Fundación, nombres, y armas de la ciudad de Astorga |publisher=Martín de Labàyen |date=1635 |url=http://bvpb.mcu.es/es/consulta/registro.cmd?id=443357 |location=Pamplona |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The flag, rectangular, is described as follows:<ref name="SIM"/>

{{blockquote|Red flag with the shield in the center.}}

Regarding its titles, the city is known as "Very Noble, Loyal, Meritorious, Magnificent, and Augustan." The first three were granted for its role during the War of Independence; centuries earlier, it had been called "Augustan" by Emperor Caesar Augustus and "Magnificent" by Pliny the Elder.<ref>{{Harvnp|Rodríguez Díez|1981|p=463}}</ref>

== Administration and politics ==
[[File:Ayuntamiento de Astorga 2025.jpg|thumb|The town hall in Plaza Mayor]]
[[File:Juzgados de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Courthouse building]]

=== Public administration ===
;Regional administration

The [[Regional Government of Castile and León]] holds responsibilities for education, managed by the Department of Education, which oversees teachers and educational centers, and healthcare, through Sacyl, which manages the municipality's healthcare services.<ref name="SAL">{{Cite web |url=http://www.saludcastillayleon.es/ciudadanos/es/buscador-recursos |title=Buscador de recursos sanitarios |access-date=15 August 2014 |author=Sacyl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719175230/http://www.saludcastillayleon.es/ciudadanos/es/buscador-recursos |archive-date=19 July 2014}}</ref>

;Local administration

Local administration is handled by a democratically managed town council, whose members are elected every four years by universal suffrage. The electoral roll includes all residents registered in Astorga over 18 years old, who are nationals of Spain or other [[member states of the European Union]]. According to the General Electoral Law, which determines the number of eligible councilors based on the municipality's population,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-1985-11672 |title=Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General. Art. 169. |date=1985 |publisher=Jefatura del Estado. BOE no. 147/1985 (España) |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2011/01/29/pdfs/BOE-A-2011-1639.pdf |title=Modificación de la Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General. |date=2011 |publisher=Jefatura del Estado. BOE no. 25/2011 (España) |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> the municipal corporation consists of 17 councilors.

;Judicial administration

Astorga is the head of the judicial district of the same name, the fifth in the province, with two courts of first instance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Partido judicial de Astorga |url=http://www.cgpe.es/juzgados.aspx?idprovincia=24&numpartido=5 |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=Consejo general de procuradores de España |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715041912/http://www.cgpe.es/juzgados.aspx?idprovincia=24&numpartido=5 |archive-date=15 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city also has a notary office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guía de instituciones oficiales de Astorga |url=http://www.astorga.com/instituciones%20de%20astorga.htm |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=Astorga.com}}</ref>

=== Municipal government ===
In the first democratic elections of 1979, the [[Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain)|Union of the Democratic Centre]] (UCD) came to power under Luis González Pérez, followed in the next term by Recaredo Bautista of the Agrupación Electoral Popular Independiente (AEPI).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/582/que_treinta_anos_no_es_nada_hellip_/ |last=Aparicio |first=Abel |title=Que treinta años no es nada |newspaper=AstorgaRedacción |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref> In the 1987 elections, Juan José Alonso Perandones ([[PSOE]]) fell just short of an absolute majority, but the four opposition groups united to give the mayoralty to the minority candidacy of Adolfo Alonso Ares.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.la-cronica.net/2009/03/29/comarcas/emel-dia-que-estime-que-acaba-esta-etapa-los-ciudadanos-seran-los-primeros-en-saberloem-30590.htm |last=Oria |first=Laura A. |title=El día que estime que acaba esta etapa, los ciudadanos serán los primeros en saberlo. Entrevista |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127114143/http://www.la-cronica.net/2009/03/29/comarcas/emel-dia-que-estime-que-acaba-esta-etapa-los-ciudadanos-seran-los-primeros-en-saberloem-30590.htm |archive-date=27 November 2011 |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> However, two years later, with the support of the [[Democratic and Social Centre (Spain)|Democratic and Social Centre]] (CDS) representative Rosa Fernández González, a motion of censure enabled Perandones to become mayor on March 29, 1989, a position he held until 2011, when he announced his retirement from politics.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://leonoticias.com/frontend/leonoticias/El-Corregidor-Que-Nunca-Llego-A-Caesar-vn69076-vst231 |title=El corregidor que nunca llegó a Caesar |newspaper=Leonoticias.com |access-date=14 December 2013 |last=Fuertes |first=Polo |date=29 March 2011}}</ref>

In the 2011 elections, with no coalition agreements reached among the political groups, the mayoralty went to the most-voted list, led by Victorina Alonso Fernández, Perandones' successor in the PSOE.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/06/11/leon/1307825576.html |title=La socialista Victorina Alonso gobernará en minoría en Astorga |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |last=Sutil |first=Álvaro F. |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> In 2015, Arsenio García of the PP was elected mayor in a minority government.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lanuevacronica.com/el-popular-arsenio-garcia-ya-es-alcalde-de-astorga-en-minoria |title=El popular Arsenio García ya es alcalde de Astorga en minoría |newspaper=La Nueva Crónica |last=Martín |first=S. |date=13 June 2015 |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> On July 5, 2019, following a judicial dispute in which the PP contested the validity of a vote initially deemed null, which the High Court of Justice of Castile and León confirmed as invalid,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/castillayleon/tsjcyl-considera-papeleta-rasgada-astorga-sufrio-alteracion-voluntaria-intencionada_1345229.html |title=El TSJCyL considera que la papeleta rasgada en Astorga sufrió una "alteración voluntaria e intencionada" |access-date=9 July 2019 |newspaper=Diario de León |date=26 June 2019}}</ref> the PSOE and IU municipal groups formed a coalition government, returning the mayoral staff to Perandones after an eight-year absence from frontline politics.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/perandones-volvera-ser-alcalde-astorga-gracias-votos-iu_1346819.html |title=Perandones volverá a ser alcalde de Astorga gracias a los votos de IU |access-date=9 July 2019 |newspaper=Diario de León |date=4 July 2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center;"
|+ style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" | Municipal elections in Astorga between 1979 and 1999<ref name="ELEC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.infoelectoral.mir.es/min/ |title=Resultados electorales |publisher=[[Ministry of the Interior (Spain)|Ministerio del Interior de España]] |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>
|- style="background:#eee"
!rowspan="2"|Political party
|colspan="2"|[[1979 Spanish local elections|1979]]
|colspan="2"|[[1983 Spanish local elections|1983]]
|colspan="2"|[[1987 Spanish local elections|1987]]
|colspan="2"|[[1991 Spanish local elections|1991]]
|colspan="2"|[[1995 Spanish local elections|1995]]
|colspan="2"|[[1999 Spanish local elections|1999]]
|- style="background:#eee"
!% votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors
|-
|align="left"| [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party|PSOE]]||13.8||2||30.94||6||40.67 ||8 ||58.65 ||11 || 49.63||10 ||48.1 ||9
|-
|align="left"| [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]]<br><small>([[Democratic Coalition (Spain)|CD]], [[People's Coalition (Spain)|CP]], and [[People's Alliance (Spain)|AP]] until 1989)</small> || 15.96 || 3 || 35.34 || 6 || 28.64||5 ||32.63 ||6 ||38.14 || 7 ||40.22 ||7
|-
|align="left"|[[Leonese People's Union|UPL]] || - || - || - || - || - || - || -|| -|| 3.6||0 ||8.46 ||1
|-
|align="left"| [[United Left (Spain)|IU]] || - || - || - || - || - ||- ||1.94 ||0 ||2.43 ||0 || 1.3||0
|-
|align="left"| [[Unión de Centro Democrático|UCD]] || 33.89 || 7 || - || - || - ||- ||- ||- ||- ||- || -||-
|-
|align="left"|Others || 36.34 || 5 || 33.72 || 5 || 29.17 || 4 ||6.3 || 0 ||4.58 || 0 ||0.18 || 0
|}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center;"
|+ style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" | Municipal elections in Astorga since 2003<ref name="ELEC"/>
|- style="background:#eee"
!rowspan="2"|Political party
|colspan="2"|[[2003 Spanish local elections|2003]]
|colspan="2"|[[2007 Spanish local elections|2007]]
|colspan="2"|[[2011 Spanish local elections|2011]]
|colspan="2"|[[2015 Spanish local elections|2015]]
| colspan="2" |[[2019 Spanish local elections|2019]]
|colspan="2"|[[2023 Spanish local elections|2023]]
|- style="background:#eee"
!% votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors || % votes||councilors
!% votes
!councilors
|-
|align="left"| [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]] || 37.19 ||7 ||31.14 ||6||35.59||7||40.68||8
|38.66
|7
|56.52
|11
|-
|align="left"| [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party|PSOE]]||46.79 ||8 || 45.11|| 8||35.68||7||18.45||3
|33.85
|7
|29.09
|5
|-
|align="left"| [[United Left (Spain)|IU]] ||- || - || - ||-||3.51||0 ||16.1||3
|11.91
|2
|7.39
|1
|-
|align="left"| [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] ||- || - || - ||-||-||-||-||-
| 2.46
| 0
|5.01
|0
|-
|align="left"|[[Leonese People's Union|UPL]] || 13.53||2 || 9.61||1 ||3.16||0 ||1.68||0
|7.11
|1
| -
| -
|-
|align="left"|[[Citizens (Spanish political party)|CS]] ||- || - || - ||-||-||-||2.39||0
|4.45
|0
| -
| -
|-
|align="left"|[[Leonese Autonomist Party–Leonesist Unity|PAL-UL]]|| - || - || 10.43 ||2||18.57||3 ||17.19||3
| -
| -
| -
| -
|-
|align="left"|Others || 0.26 || 0 || - ||-||0.19||0 ||1.72||0
|0.22
|0
| -
| -
|}

;Mayoralty
[[File:Juan José Alonso Perandones.jpg|thumb|Juan José Alonso Perandones, mayor of Astorga from 1989 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023]]

{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center;"
|+ style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" | '''List of mayors since the<br>1979 municipal elections'''
|- style="background:#eee"
! style="background:#efefef;" | Period
! style="background:#efefef;" | Name of the mayor
! style="background:#efefef;" | [[Political party]]
|-
| align=right| 1979-1983|| Luis González Pérez || [[Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain)|UCD]]
|-
| align=right| 1983-1987|| Recaredo Bautista || AEPI
|-
| align=right| 1987-1989|| Adolfo Alonso Ares ||  [[People's Democratic Party (Spain)|PDP]]
|-
|align=right| 1989-2011|| Juan José Alonso Perandones || [[PSOE]]
|-
|align=right| 2011-2015|| Victorina Alonso Fernández || [[PSOE]]
|-
|align=right| 2015-2019|| Arsenio García Fuertes || [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]] / Non-affiliated<ref group='note'>In September 2018, he was expelled from the PP after being investigated in the Enredadera operation.</ref>
|-
|align=right| 2019-2023 || Juan José Alonso Perandones || [[PSOE]]
|-
|align=right| 2023- || José Luis Nieto || [[People's Party (Spain)|PP]]
|-
|}

;Government departments

The municipal executive is organized into various departments, each led by a councilor from the governing body. The management departments of the Town Council during the 2019-2023 term are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/ayuntamiento/ |title=Corporación municipal |access-date=7 May 2020 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga}}</ref>
{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* Department of Works, Urban Planning, and Police
* Department of Commerce, Market, and Cemetery
* Department of Health and Social Development
* Department of Culture, Music, and Personnel
* Department of Tourism and Technological Development
* Department of Equality, Communication, and Kennel
* Department of Sports, Festivals, and Youth
* Department of Finance, Economic Development, and Industry
* Department of Environment and Hamlets
}}

== Services ==
[[File:Colegio Santa Marta.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of CEIP Santa Marta]]
[[File:IES Astorga.jpg|thumb|View of IES Astorga]]
[[File:Colegio La Salle, Astorga.jpg|thumb|La Salle School]]

=== Communications ===
==== Vehicle fleet ====
In 2011, the municipality had a vehicle fleet of 465.3 cars per 1,000 inhabitants.<ref name="CE" /> According to data from the "Economic Yearbook of Spain 2012" published by [[La Caixa]],<ref name="caixa">{{Cite web |url=http://www.anuarieco.lacaixa.comunicacions.com/java/X?cgi=caixa.le_DEM.pattern&START=YES |title=Anuario económico de España. 2012. Astorga |publisher=La Caixa |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606180024/http://www.anuarieco.lacaixa.comunicacions.com/java/X?cgi=caixa.le_DEM.pattern&START=YES |archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> there were 5,491 cars in total. The same data indicates a fleet of 1,250 trucks and vans, with other vehicles totaling 1,150, bringing the total number of motor vehicles to 7,926. The city has a Vehicle Inspection Station located in the industrial estate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itevelesa.com/delegaciones-m |title=Delegaciones en la provincia de León |publisher=Grupo Itevelesa |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213184025/http://www.itevelesa.com/delegaciones-m |archive-date=13 December 2012}}</ref>

==== Road network ====
[[File:A6 por Astorga.jpg|thumb|The [[Autovía A-6|A-6]] passing through the municipality]]

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!Identifier!!Name!!Route
|----
|align="center" | [[Autovía A-6|A-6]]|| align="center" | Northwest Motorway||Runs between [[Madrid]] and [[La Coruña]].
|----
|align="center" | [[Autopista AP-71|AP-71]]|| align="center" | León-Astorga Motorway|| Connects the [[León, Spain|provincial capital]] with Astorga, primarily with toll sections and some free sections.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aulesa |url=http://www.aseta.es/MatCorp/AULESA.pdf |access-date=11 June 2012 |author=ASETA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619222037/http://www.aseta.es/MatCorp/AULESA.pdf |archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref>
|----
|align="center" | [[N-6 road (Spain)|N-6]]|| align="center" | La Coruña Road||Runs between [[Madrid]] and [[La Coruña]].
|----
|align="center" | [[N-120 road (Spain)|N-120]]|| align="center" | National Road||A major road axis in northern Spain, connecting [[Logroño]] and [[Vigo]].
|----
|align="center" | LE-451 || align="center" | Provincial Road|| Connects with [[La Cepeda]].
|----
|align="center" | LE-141 || align="center" | Provincial Road|| Connects with the interior of [[Maragatería]].
|----
|align="center" | LE-133 || align="center" | Provincial Road|| Connects with [[Nogarejas (Spain)|Nogarejas]] and [[Province of Zamora|Zamora]].
|----
|align="center" | LE-142 || align="center" | Provincial Road|| Connects with [[Ponferrada]] via the Foncebadón Pass.
|----
|}

==== Public transportation ====
[[File:Astorga, estación de autobuses en 2020.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of the bus station]]
;Bus

For passenger transport, the company [[Alsa (bus company)|ALSA]] provides road services between the city and multiple national destinations, such as [[León, Spain|León]], [[Ponferrada]], [[La Coruña]], [[Valladolid]], [[Madrid]], [[Gijón]], or [[Barcelona]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viajar a Astorga |url=http://www.alsa.es/destinos/astorga.htm |access-date=11 June 2013 |author=ALSA}}</ref> Locally, several companies offer services between Astorga and surrounding regional localities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transportes públicos de viajeros |url=http://www.astorga.com/transportes%20publicos%20en%20astorga.htm |access-date=11 June 2013 |author=Astorga.com}}</ref>
[[File:Andenes en la estación de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Platforms at Astorga train station]]
;Railway
Since the railway arrived in 1866, the city has had a railway station, located in the Puerta del Rey neighborhood, northeast of the city. Managed by [[Adif]], the station is part of the Palencia-La Coruña line. Astorga's railway connections, operated by [[Renfe Operadora|Renfe]], include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viajeros - Horarios |url=http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/ |access-date=11 June 2013 |author=Renfe}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* Astorga-Ponferrada (Alvia)
* Astorga-La Coruña (Alvia, Arco, Trenhotel)
* Astorga-Vigo (Alvia, Arco, Trenhotel)
* Astorga-Ferrol (Trenhotel)
* Astorga-Madrid (Alvia, Trenhotel)
* Astorga-Barcelona (Alvia, Trenhotel)
* Astorga-Bilbao (Arco)
* Astorga-Irún (Arco)
* Astorga-León (Intercity, Regional Express)
}}
Until 1983, Astorga was also the starting point of the Vía de la Plata railway, inaugurated on July 21, 1896, connecting Astorga to Plasencia. For several years, various organizations and companies have demanded its reopening to effectively connect the western peninsula and restore freight transport by rail.<ref>{{Cite news |title=La Fundación Afonso Enriques pide la apertura del tren Vía de la Plata |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=409552 |date=2 October 2008 |access-date=12 June 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Las Cámaras de Comercio de la Vía de la Plata exigen el ferrocarril |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=408439 |last=Domingo |first=A. |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=12 June 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref name="TREN">{{Cite news |title=El colectivo Tren Vía de la Plata considera viable la reapertura de la línea para viajeros |url=http://www.nortecastilla.es/20081221/zamora/colectivo-tren-plata-considera-20081221.html |date=21 December 2008 |author=Urones, Mª Ángeles |access-date=12 June 2013 |newspaper=[[El Norte de Castilla]]}}</ref>
;Air transport
{{See also|León Airport}}

The León Airport, operational since 1999, is the only airport in the province and the closest to the municipality, located between [[Valverde de la Virgen]] and [[San Andrés del Rabanedo]], 44 kilometers from Astorga.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Leon/es/ |title=Aeropuerto de León |publisher=Aena |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023124134/http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Leon/es |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other nearby options for air transport are the Valladolid and Asturias airports, located 157 and 193 kilometers away, respectively.

=== Education ===
The city's educational infrastructure includes three early childhood and primary education centers, one secondary education institute, and one special education center in the public sector, as well as three private centers offering education from early childhood to secondary school.<ref name="COL">{{Cite web |url=http://www.educa.jcyl.es/educacyl/cm/educacyl/images?locale=es_ES&textOnly=false&idMmedia=210447 |format=PDF |title=Guía del Estudiante |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=[[Junta de Castilla y León]]}}</ref>

The secondary institute offers Compulsory Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, and vocational training programs such as Electricity and Electronics and Cooking and Catering at the basic level, Bakery, Pastry and Confectionery, Administrative Management, Telecommunications Installations, Electrical and Automatic Installations at the intermediate level, and Administration and Finance and Industrial Automation and Robotics at the advanced level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iesastorga.centros.educa.jcyl.es/sitio/index.cgi?wid_seccion=13 |title=IES Astorga |access-date=7 May 2020 |author=[[Junta de Castilla y León]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528233804/http://iesastorga.centros.educa.jcyl.es/sitio/index.cgi?wid_seccion=13 |archive-date=28 May 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

For specialized education, Astorga has an Official Language School offering French, English, and German,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eoiastorga.centros.educa.jcyl.es/sitio/ |title=E.O.I. Astorga |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=[[Junta de Castilla y León]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614093008/http://eoiastorga.centros.educa.jcyl.es/sitio/ |archive-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> a professional music conservatory, a municipal music school, and an adult education center.
{| class="wikitable" align="center"
|+ Educational centers in Astorga<ref name="COL"/>
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Center !! Type !! Education !! Center !! Type !! Education
|-
|CEIP Ángel González Álvarez || Public || Early Childhood and Primary Education || CPM Ángel Barja || Public || Music
|-
|CEIP Blanco de Cela || Public || Early Childhood and Primary Education || EOI Astorga || Public || Languages
|-
|CEIP Santa Marta|| Public || Early Childhood and Primary Education || University of Experience<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unileon.es/estudiantes/universidad-de-la-experiencia |title=Universidad de la Experiencia |access-date=23 April 2014 |author=University of León}}</ref> || Public || Adult
|-
|IES Asturica Augusta || Public || Secondary Education || La Salle<br><small>([[Brothers of the Christian Schools]])</small> || Private || Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education
|-
|CPEE Santa M.ª Madre de la Iglesia || Public || Special Education || Paula Montal<br><small>(Piarists)</small> || Private || Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education
|-
|CEPA Lyda || Public || Adult Education || Virgen de las Candelas<br><small>(Stigmatine Sisters)</small> || Private || Early Childhood Education
|}

=== Healthcare ===
[[File:Centro de salud, Astorga.jpg|thumb|left|View of the new health center]]
[[File:Helicóptero Sacyl.jpg|thumb|left|Helicopter of Sacyl]]
[[File:Cruz Roja Astorga.jpg|thumb|Local assembly of the [[Spanish Red Cross]]]]
The city's healthcare system is divided between public health services and private medicine. For the former, Astorga has a [[health center]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2013/02/27/ultima-hora/el-nuevo-centro-de-salud-de-astorga-leon-comienza-a-funcionar-manana-con-el-servicio-de-urgencias-176256.htm |title=El nuevo centro de salud de Astorga (León) comienza a funcionar mañana con el servicio de urgencias |access-date=9 June 2013 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |date=27 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218171805/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2013/02/27/ultima-hora/el-nuevo-centro-de-salud-de-astorga-leon-comienza-a-funcionar-manana-con-el-servicio-de-urgencias-176256.htm |archive-date=18 December 2013}}</ref> that serves as the hub for the basic health zones of Astorga I—covering the municipalities of [[San Justo de la Vega]] and [[Villaobispo de Otero]], in addition to Astorga itself—and Astorga II, which includes [[Brazuelo]], [[Val de San Lorenzo]], [[Valderrey]], [[Quintana del Castillo]], [[Santa Colomba de Somoza]], [[Magaz de Cepeda]], [[Luyego]], [[Lucillo]], [[Villamejil]], [[Villagatón]], and [[Santiago Millas]].<ref name="SAL" /> It also has a heliport for the [[112 (emergency telephone number)|112 emergency service]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=120555 |title=El helicóptero del 112, con sede en Astorga, atendió a 86 pacientes |access-date=14 September 2010 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]] |last=Pérez |first=N. G. |date=2 February 2004}}</ref>

The Town Council manages the responsibilities outlined in Article 42 of the General Healthcare Law,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1986-10499 |title=Ley 14/1986, de 25 de abril, General de Sanidad |access-date=14 September 2010 |author=boe.es}}</ref> which stipulates that municipalities, without prejudice to other public administrations, have the following minimum responsibilities in health-related matters:

* Environmental health control: air pollution, water supply, wastewater sanitation, urban and industrial waste.
* Health control of industries, activities, and services, transportation, noise, and vibrations.
* Health control of buildings and places of residence and human coexistence, particularly food centers, hairdressers, saunas, personal hygiene centers, hotels, residential centers, schools, tourist camps, and sports and recreational activity areas.
* Health control of the distribution and supply of perishable foods, beverages, and other products directly or indirectly related to human use or consumption, as well as their transport means.
* Health control of cemeteries and mortuary health policing.

The city also has a [[Spanish Red Cross]] post<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cruzroja.es/portal/page?_pageid=567,12314886&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30&P_CENT=14655 |title=Asamblea local Astorga |access-date=14 September 2010 |author=[[Spanish Red Cross]]}}</ref> and seven [[pharmacy|pharmacies]].<ref name="SAL"/>

=== Public safety ===
[[File:Antiguo Hospital de las Cinco Llagas.jpg|thumb|The former Hospital de las Cinco Llagas, renovated as a residence for [[Disability|physically disabled individuals]]]]
[[File:Gasolinera Astorga.jpg|thumb|Service station at the intersection of Ponferrada Avenue and the Madrid-La Coruña road]]
[[File:Matadero Astorga.jpg|thumb|Astorga regional [[slaughterhouse]]]]
Astorga has units of the [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]], local police, and National Police ensuring public safety. As in the rest of Castile and León, the [[112 (emergency telephone number)|112 emergency service]] system is operational. Additionally, the Santocildes Barracks is home to the Command of the El Teleno Maneuver and Firing Range and the 63rd Field Rocket Artillery Regiment,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regimiento de Artillería Lanzacohetes de Campaña nº 63 |website=www.ejercito.mde.es |year=2019 |ref={{harvid|Regimiento de Artillería Lanzacohetes de Campaña nº 63|2019}} |publisher=Departamento de Comunicación del Ejército de Tierra |url=http://www.ejercito.mde.es/unidades/Leon/ralca63/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425232945/http://www.ejercito.mde.es/unidades/Leon/ralca63/ |archive-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> under the [[Ministry of Defence (Spain)|Ministry of Defence]].

=== Social services ===
The city has several private care facilities, including the San Juan Bautista Residence, San Francisco de Asís Residence, El Chapin Home Residence, and Virgen de los Desamparados Residence,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guía de Servicios de Atención Residencial para Personas Mayores |url=http://www.imserso.es/imserso_01/centros/centros_personas_mayores/consulta_guia_residencias/index.htm |access-date=18 June 2014 |author=[[Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316131305/https://www.imserso.es/imserso_01/centros/centros_personas_mayores/consulta_guia_residencias/index.htm |archive-date=16 March 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Las Cinco Llagas social center, dedicated to physically disabled individuals and managed by [[Caritas Internationalis]]. Since 1986, the Pensioners' Home has served as a place for elderly people to socialize and engage in activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Hogar del Pensionista y su pequeña historia |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/3487/el_hogar_del_pensionista_y_su_pequena_historia/ |access-date=4 January 2014 |author=Juan José Alonso Perandones |date=31 December 2013 |publisher=Astorga RedAcción}}</ref>

=== Supply and cleaning ===
;Fuel

The supply of petroleum-derived fuels (gasoline and diesel) is sourced from the storage facilities of [[Exolum]] in [[Vega de Infanzones]], near León,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.clh.es/section.cfm?id=2&side=134&lang=sp&mapa=1&edit=14 |title=Instalación de almacenamiento de León |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=[[Compañía Logística de Hidrocarburos|CLH]]}}</ref> and distributed to vehicles through two service stations, one operated by [[Repsol YPF]] and another by [[CEPSA|Cepsa]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://geoportal.mityc.es/hidrocarburos/eess/ |title=Carburantes |access-date=9 June 2013 |author=[[Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318062914/http://geoportal.mityc.es/hidrocarburos/eess/ |archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>

;Water service

Water is sourced from the Tuerto River—stored in the Villameca Reservoir—at the La Forti site, from where it is pumped to the treatment plant at El Sierro. Once treated, the water is stored in reservoirs for distribution to the city.<ref name="Aqua">{{Cite web |title=Ciclo urbano del agua en Astorga |url=http://www.aquagest.es/ESP/4219.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615135649/http://www.aquagest.es/ESP/4219.asp |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=8 November 2013 |author=Aquagest}}</ref> Since 2008, Astorga has had a wastewater treatment plant receiving water from the sewer system.<ref name="Aqua"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=El 88 % de los pueblos ya tiene depuradora |url=http://www.la-cronica.net/2008/07/01/comarcas/el-88-de-los-pueblos-ya-tiene-depuradora-3278.htm |access-date=9 June 2013 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127113910/http://www.la-cronica.net/2008/07/01/comarcas/el-88-de-los-pueblos-ya-tiene-depuradora-3278.htm |archive-date=27 November 2011}}</ref>

;Waste and cleaning

Urban waste management is handled by the municipal company Ecoastúrica,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.astorgadigital.com/julian-garcia-nuevo-presidente-de-ecoasturica/300311 |title=Julián García, nuevo presidente de Ecoasturica |access-date=2024-01-13 |date=2023-08-16 |website=www.astorgadigital.com |language=es}}</ref> which performs tasks such as garbage collection, street cleaning, and managing the [[recycling center]]. The recycling center is located next to the municipal cemetery in the Puerta de Rey neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Punto Limpio |url=http://www.rectivia.org/p1a1-70.html |access-date=26 September 2010 |author=Rectivía.org}}</ref> The municipality once had a landfill, but under the Castile and León Urban Waste Plan, it was sealed, and the degraded area was restored.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Adjudicado el sellado del vertedero de Astorga |url=http://la-cronica.net/2008/07/01/comarcas/adjudicado-el-sellado-del-vertedero-de-astorga-por-un-importe-de-688000-euros-3280.htm |access-date=4 January 2009 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120628162840/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2008/07/01/comarcas/adjudicado-el-sellado-del-vertedero-de-astorga-por-un-importe-de-688000-euros-3280.htm |archive-date=28 June 2012}}</ref> In the nearby town of San Román de la Vega, there is a Waste Treatment Center (CTR) with a packaging sorting plant and a recycling and composting plant for municipal solid waste.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CTR |url=http://www.aytoleon.es/es/ayuntamiento/areasmunicipales/medioambiente/calidadambiental/residuos/Paginas/centrodetratamientoderesiduos.aspx |access-date=26 September 2010 |author=Ayuntamiento de León}}</ref>

;Food supply

For perishable food supplies such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, the city has several supermarkets and traditional small food shops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guía de empresas y profesionales |url=http://www.astorga.com/empresas/confiterias,%20carnicerias,%20tiendas%20de%20alimentacion.htm |access-date=29 September 2010 |author=Astorga.com}}</ref> Additionally, every Tuesday, a weekly market is held, occupying several streets in the city center, offering clothing, footwear, jewelry, salted food, fruits, and vegetables.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mercadillos: el centro comercial rural |url=http://www.la-cronica.net/2010/03/29/comarcas/emmercadillos-el-centro-comercial-ruralem-74650.htm |access-date=29 September 2010 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115015421/http://www.la-cronica.net/2010/03/29/comarcas/emmercadillos-el-centro-comercial-ruralem-74650.htm |archive-date=15 November 2011}}</ref>

== Culture ==
=== Historical-artistic heritage ===
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Historic site of Astorga
| image = Muralla, Palacio Gaudí, Catedral de Astorga.jpg
| designation1 = Spanish Cultural Heritage
| designation1_date = 21 January 1978
| designation1_number = RI-53-0000213
| coordinates = 
| location = Astorga, Spain
| mapframe-id = Q43168944
}}

Astorga's architecture reflects the legacy of its inhabitants over centuries, boasting significant monumental wealth in both religious and civil buildings, spanning Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modernist styles. The municipality has seven ''[[Bien de Interés Cultural]]'' designations: the Historic Site of Astorga itself and that of Castrillo de los Polvazares, and, in the Monument category, the Surroundings of the Episcopal Palace, the Santa María Cathedral—designated a National Monument since 1931—the Roman Ergastula, the Episcopal Palace, and the Town Hall.<ref name="BICS">{{Cite web |title=Bienes de Interés Cultural |url=http://www.mcu.es/bienes/cargarFiltroBienesInmuebles.do?layout=bienesInmuebles&cache=init& |access-date=12 June 2013 |author=(([[Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Spain)|Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte]]))}}</ref>

==== Roman Route ====
{{Main|Asturica Augusta}}

The first excavations took place in 1835, but it was not until the 1940s, under [[José María Luengo Martínez|José María Luengo]], that they gained prominence. Work continued from the late 20th century, leading to a route showcasing various preserved Roman remains beneath the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ruta Romana |url=http://turismoastorga.es/ruta-romana/ |access-date=30 September 2018 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=51}}</ref> The most notable findings relate to public spaces, including two [[Roman baths|bath complexes]]—the Major and Minor Baths—and the [[sewerage|sewer system]], still in use. In the forum, the Aedes Augusti, a temple dedicated to the imperial cult, and the Roman Ergastula, a cryptoporticus gallery housing the Roman Museum, are preserved. In the private sphere, the Domus of the Bear and Birds Mosaic, a residence following the traditional Roman [[domus]] layout, is one of the city's most characteristic Roman structures.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=60}}</ref>[[File:Puerta romana de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Remains of the only known Roman gate to date]]
Also part of the Roman legacy is the city wall. The initial defense of the Roman settlement was the [[vallum]] of the camp where the Legio X Gemina was based, dating to before the turn of the era. It consisted of two V-shaped trenches accompanied by an embankment and a wooden palisade. Later, in the 1st century, a first walled enclosure with circular towers was built, and in the 3rd century, a new wall fully encircled the hill on which the old town sits.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=55}}</ref> This wall, slightly over two kilometers long and nearly rectangular, featured 27 semicircular towers spaced approximately 16 meters apart and was reused in the medieval period. The War of Independence caused significant damage to the wall during the 19th century, and the northern and southern sections, along with many western towers, were almost entirely demolished. No traces of the ancient gates remain, though their names persist in street nomenclature: Puerta Obispo, Puerta del Rey, El Postigo, Puerta del Sol, and Puerta de San Miguel.
[[File:Astorga Catedral 47 by-dpc.jpg|thumb|Cathedral facade]]
[[File:Astorga Catedral de Santa María (03).JPG|thumb|Cathedral vault]]

==== Cathedral ====
{{Main|Astorga Cathedral}}

The origin of the cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, dates to 1069, when a first temple was consecrated by Bishop Pedro Núñez. It was rebuilt in 1087 under Bishop Osmundo and in the 13th century under Bishop Pedro Fernández. This last reconstruction served as the basis for the definitive expansion, which began in 1471. The works continued until the 18th century, resulting in a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=94}}</ref> The cathedral has a rectangular plan, a three-apse chancel, three naves, and a false [[Crossing (architecture)|crossing]]; two towers flank the main facade. The initial Gothic section was built in the late 15th century and early 16th century. During the latter, the works were directed by Francisco de Colonia, [[Juan Gil de Hontañón]], and [[Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón]], who introduced Renaissance elements, particularly in the transept and southeast door. In the late 17th century, the main facade was begun: the ensemble, in [[Churrigueresque|Churrigueresque Baroque style]], features three arched doorways flanked by two towers and is organized like a stone altarpiece with abundant decoration. The left tower, started in 1678, was affected by the [[1755 Lisbon earthquake]] and the War of Independence, not being completed until 1965; the right tower, begun in 1692, was finished in 1704.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=103}}</ref> On the exterior, atop one of the turrets crowning the chancel, stands the statue of Pedro Mato, a legendary figure linked to the [[Battle of Clavijo]].

Inside, in addition to the 16th century choir with its seating and 17th century grille, various [[chapel]]s are distributed: seven along the sides of the three naves, three in the chancel, one in each arm of the false crossing, and two at the base of each tower. Notable among them are the Chapel of Our Lady of Majesty, housing the 12th century Virgin of Majesty altarpiece; the Main Chapel, with a Renaissance-style altarpiece by [[Gaspar Becerra]]; and the Chapel of the San Miguel altarpiece, an example of 16th century Hispano-Flemish art. The cathedral complex also includes the crypt, built in 1521 beneath the presbytery as a pantheon for the marquises of Astorga;<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Luengo Martínez |first=José María |year=1978 |title=La cripta de los Marqueses de la ciudad, en la Catedral de Astorga |journal=Tierras de León: Revista de la Diputación Provincial |volume=18 |issue=30–31 |pages=89–99 |url=http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/tierras-de-leon/html/30-31/e.5.pdf |issn=0495-5773 |access-date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713000958/http://saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/tierras-de-leon/html/30-31/e.5.pdf |archive-date=13 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the neoclassical cloister from 1755, with five arches per wing joined by Ionic pilasters; the sacristy from 1772, featuring a Rococo altar-reliquary; and the facilities of the Diocesan Museum and Diocesan Archive.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|pp=105-106}}</ref>
[[File:Astorga Palacio 01 Jmm.JPG|thumb|Main entrance of the palace]]
[[File:Lateral del Palacio Episcopal.jpg|thumb|Side view of the palace]]

==== Episcopal Palace ====
{{Main|Episcopal Palace of Astorga}}
{{External media
| width = 250px
| video1= [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhN_NzqbywM Palacio Episcopal de Astorga].
}}
After the 1886 fire that destroyed the previous episcopal palace, Bishop Joan Baptista Grau i Vallespinós commissioned a new palace from the modernist architect [[Antoni Gaudí]], with whom he had a longstanding friendship. Construction began in 1889, but after the bishop's death in 1893, Gaudí resigned from the project due to disagreements with the Chapter, when the second floor and attic were still incomplete. Architects Francisco Blanch y Pons and Manuel Hernández Álvarez-Reyero took over without success, until Bishop Julián de Diego y Alcolea appointed Ricardo García Guereta, who completed the building in 1913.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bassegoda Nonell |first=Joan |year=2002 |title=Gaudí o espacio, luz y equilibrio |page=151 |location=Madrid |publisher=Criterio |isbn=84-95437-10-4}}</ref> During the Spanish Civil War, it served as a barracks and headquarters for the [[Falange Española de las JONS|Falange]]. Repairs were made in 1943 and 1956 to convert it into the bishop's residence, a purpose never fulfilled. Under the pontificates of [[Marcelo González Martín]] and Antonio Briva Miravent, it was promoted as the Museum of the Ways, inaugurated in 1963.<ref>{{Harvnp|Alonso González|2000|p=83}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo de los Caminos |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |access-date=25 June 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041458/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |archive-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

The palace, constructed from grey granite sourced from El Bierzo, adheres to the historicist principles of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture—in this case, in the Neo-Gothic style—and features a Latin cross plan with four facades and four towers at each corner. The initial aim was to combine the characteristics of a castle and a palace, as evidenced by elements such as a moat. The entrance is a portico with three flared arches, separated by slanted buttresses, topped with a [[pediment]]; Gaudí had planned to crown the facade with a five-meter-tall angel, but this idea was ultimately not realized.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crippa |first=Maria Antonietta |year=2007 |title=Gaudí |url=https://archive.org/details/antonigaudi185210000crip |page=[https://archive.org/details/antonigaudi185210000crip/page/35 35] |location=Köln |publisher=Taschen |isbn=978-3-8228-2519-8}}</ref> The rear section features an [[apse]], corresponding to the chapel, surrounded by three smaller [[apsidiole]]s. The ground floor houses a large vestibule, from which the grand staircase rises, its height allowing for triangular windows that provide ample light, a design previously used by Gaudí in the [[Palau Güell]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bassegoda Nonell |first=Joan |year=2002 |title=op. cit. |page=152}}</ref> and repeated in other rooms of the episcopal palace, such as the office, throne room, dining room, and bedroom. The building's structure is supported by pillars with decorated [[capital (architecture)|capitals]] and [[ribbed vault]]s over glazed ceramic pointed arches. On the exterior, three angel figures, bearing episcopal attributes ([[mitre]], [[pectoral cross]], and [[Crozier|crosier]]), designed by Gaudí as roof finials, remain but were never placed in their intended position.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=81}}</ref>
[[File:Casa del Ayuntamiento, Astorga, 1855.jpg|thumb|View of the town hall in 1855|alt=]]

==== Town Hall ====
[[File:Reloj con Maragatos.ogv|thumb|Moment when the inhabitants of La Maragatería strike the hours on the town hall facade]]
Construction of the town hall began in 1683, based on a design by Francisco de La Lastra, and was completed in 1703. Later additions included balconies (1730, Francisco García Casella), finials on the side towers (1739, José Álvarez de la Viña), and the central [[bell-gable]] (1748, Domingo Martínez), which houses the clock and bells, the largest of which is accompanied by two figures dressed as [[Maragato|''maragatos'']], named Juan Zancuda and Colasa, who mark the hours by striking it with a mallet.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Morais Vallejo |first1=Emilio |last2=Flórez Crespo |first2=María del Mar |year=2000 |title=El antiguo reloj y la espadaña del Ayuntamiento de Astorga |journal=Astórica: Revista de estudios, documentación, creación y divulgación de temas astorganos |issue=19 |pages=223–242 |issn=0212-6141}}</ref> The facade consists of three stories, with a symmetrical axis formed by the semicircular arch at the entrance, the bell-gable, and the royal coat of arms. The sculptural ensemble includes elements functioning as [[gargoyle]]s and the coats of arms of the city and the marquises of Astorga on the right and left towers, respectively.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=74}}</ref> Inside, the plenary hall stands out, presided over by several commemorative plaques honoring notable figures such as [[Manuel García Prieto]], [[Pío Gullón Iglesias]], Lope María Blanco de Cela, Manuel Gullón y García Prieto, and Marcelo Macías, as well as marking significant dates in the city's history. The building was renovated in 1987 by Andrés Lozano.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=75}}</ref>

==== Other monuments ====
[[File:Seminario de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Facade of the Seminary]]
[[File:Fachada iglesia de San Andrés, Astorga.jpg|thumb|Church of San Andrés]]
The city is home to other culturally and architecturally significant buildings, primarily located in the historic center. Among them are the Sanctuary of Fatima, formerly known as the Church of San Julián, which retains four Romanesque capitals in its portal; the Church of San Bartolomé, also originating in the Romanesque style but later modified with Baroque interior decoration, where council meetings were held in its atrium until the town hall was built; the Church of Santa Marta, dedicated to the city's patron saint, constructed in 1741 on the site of an earlier church with a Neoclassical facade and Baroque interior; the Convent of Santa Clara, which faced hardship in 1810 during the [[Siege of Astorga]], when General [[José María Santocildes]] fortified its walls against French troops, but resumed housing its community in 1816, unaffected by the confiscations due to its educational activities;<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=145}}</ref> the church and convent of San Francisco, from the 13th century, over which the Redemptorist Fathers built a new structure, causing the original convent to be listed among the city's lost heritage;<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|pp=68–69}}</ref><ref>Its history and description can be found in a separate article on ''Lost Heritage of Astorga''.</ref> and the Convent of Sancti Spiritus, which dates from the 16th century and features Baroque decorations inside.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=140}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Iglesia de Santa Marta.jpg|Church of Santa Marta, one of the oldest churches in the city
File:San Bartolome, iglesia y cabildo.jpg|Gable of the Church of San Bartolomé
File:Iglesia de San Francisco, Astorga.jpg|Church of San Francisco
File:Astorga - Convenrto de Sancti Spiritus.jpg|Exterior of the Convent of Sancti Spiritus
</gallery>

Also of religious significance are the Major Seminary, a 1756 structure with a three-story facade in the [[Herrerian style]], featuring three enclosed cloisters and a Neoclassical chapel; the Church of Santa Colomba de Puerta de Rey, established since the 17th century—though the current building results from multiple renovations—near the site of the vanished Convent of San Dictino; the Chapel of Vera Cruz, from the 15th century but rebuilt in 1816; the Church of San Pedro de Rectivía, located along the Camino de Santiago, with a modern design and a facade covered in mosaics installed in the 1990s;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parroquia de San Pedro de Rectivía |url=http://www.rectivia.org/p3a0.html |access-date=25 June 2013 |publisher=Rectivia.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Musivaria Antiqua |url=http://www.rectivia.org/p3a3.html |access-date=25 June 2013 |publisher=Rectivia.org}}</ref> and the Church of San Andrés, built in brick in the early 20th century by Hernández Álvarez-Reyero—influenced by Gaudí—following [[historicist architecture]] principles with Gothic aesthetics, housing a Baroque altarpiece from the vanished Church of San Miguel. Another building influenced by Modernism is Casa Granell, constructed between 1910 and 1915 by [[Antonio Palacios|Antonio Palacios Ramilo]]—known for works such as the [[Cybele Palace|Palace of Communications in Madrid]]—commissioned by a chocolate entrepreneur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Astorga Modernista |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/astorga.htm |access-date=25 June 2013 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614041639/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/astorga.htm |archive-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Iglesia de San Pedro, Astorga.jpg|Church of San Pedro de Rectivía
File:Casa Granell.jpg|Casa Granell
File:Celda de la emparedadas.jpg|Cell of the Walled-in Women
File:Capilla de la Vera Cruz.jpg|Chapel of Vera Cruz
</gallery>

Other notable structures include the Hospital of the Five Wounds, one of the city's most important pilgrim hospitals, with origins in the 11th century, though only its 18th-century portal remains;<ref>{{Cite news |title=El hospital de las Cinco Llagas |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/el-hospital-de-las-cinco-llagas_75748.html |access-date=25 June 2013 |date=8 April 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |journal=Hispania Sacra |volume=LXIII |issue=127 |date=January–June 2011 |pages=75–102 |issn=0018-215X |title=Enfermedad y caridad en la provincia de León durante la edad moderna: el Hospital de las Cinco Llagas de la ciudad de Astorga |last=Pérez Álvarez |first=María José |doi=10.3989/hs.2011.v63.i127.267 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and the Cell of the Walled-in Women, a small space between the Chapel of San Esteban and the Church of Santa Marta, used in the Middle Ages by women who enclosed themselves for life as penance, featuring a barred window for receiving charity, above which is the inscription "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">remember my condition, for it will be yours. me yesterday, you today</span>".<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=92}}</ref>

==== Property registrations ====
Between 1998 and 2015, the [[Catholic Church in Spain]] registered various properties, a process that sparked controversy according to some authors, including the [[Secretary of State for Relations with the Cortes|Secretary of State for Relations with the Cortes and Constitutional Affairs]], José Antonio Montilla Martos, who stated that "Articles 206 of the Mortgage Law and 304 of the Mortgage Regulation, which allowed registrations in the name of the Catholic Church, are clearly unconstitutional as they violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Spanish Constitution."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática |title=Estudio sobre la inmatriculación de bienes inmuebles de la iglesia católica en el registro de la propiedad desde el año 1998 en virtud de certificación del diocesano respectivo (I) |year=2021 |url=https://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2021/02/16/81f680e3671ec19edb395114f640972c.pdf |pages=1613 |section=IV.- Dudas de constitucionalidad que planteó la posibilidad de inmatriculación mediante certificación de la iglesia católica del artículo 206 de la ley hipotecaria en la jurisprudencia (p. 15)}}</ref>

Among the registered properties are several located within the municipal boundaries of Astorga, as listed in "Listado Bienes Iglesia Católica - Definitivo, Page 244 of 931 (Pg. 926)"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática |title=Estudio sobre la inmatriculación de bienes inmuebles de la iglesia católica en el registro de la propiedad desde el año 1998 en virtud de certificación del diocesano respectivo (I) |year=2021 |url=https://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2021/02/16/81f680e3671ec19edb395114f640972c.pdf |pages=1613 |section=Listado Bienes Iglesia Católica - Definitivo. SdR Página №.244 de 931 (Pg. 926)}}</ref> of the "Study on the Property Registration of Catholic Church Real Estate"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática |title=Estudio sobre la inmatriculación de bienes inmuebles de la iglesia católica en el registro de la propiedad desde el año 1998 en virtud de certificación del diocesano respectivo (I) |year=2021 |url=https://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2021/02/16/81f680e3671ec19edb395114f640972c.pdf |pages=1613 |section=Estudio sobre la inmatriculación de bienes inmuebles de la iglesia católica}}</ref> published by the [[Ministry of the Presidency]] of the Government of Spain on 16 February 2021.

The summary of properties registered in the municipality of Astorga, according to this study, is as follows:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"
|+ Summary of property registrations in the municipality of Astorga
|-
! Type
| Plots || Churches || Seminaries || Sanctuaries || Houses || Cathedral || Episcopal Palace || Rural Estates
|-
! Quantity
| 1 || 4 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 5
|}

==== Lost heritage ====
[[File:Castillo de Astorga, 1857.jpg|thumb|The castle of the [[Marquess of Astorga|marquises]] in 1857]]Astorga, both within the city and its outskirts, once had numerous convents, hospitals, and pilgrim hostels due to its significance as a stopover on the way to [[Santiago de Compostela]] and as a crossroads. Most of these buildings have vanished, leaving no physical trace, with their existence known only through historical descriptions and documents. In 1872, the castle—residence of the marquises of Astorga—also disappeared, leaving only the name of a street: Calle del Castillo.

Historical documentation of this lost heritage comes from chronicles written by travelers and historians from the 16th to the 20th centuries, who recorded events and curiosities about the city. Reliable sources also include archives of confraternities, some convents (including those in other towns), and the archive of the León Cathedral, which holds numerous informative records.<ref>León Cathedral Archive, files numbers 207, 263, 370, 468, 593, 606, 1228, 1286–1288, 1292, 1435, 1625, 2409–2439, 6323, 10941–10946</ref> However, information is limited by the loss or destruction of municipal and cathedral archives during the Spanish War of Independence, [[Spanish confiscation|confiscations]], and the Spanish Civil War, which also form part of the city's lost heritage.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Huidobro y Serna|first=Luciano|title=Las peregrinaciones Jacobeas|year=1950|publisher=Instituto de España|page=632}}</ref>

==== Urban sculptures ====

{| class="wikitable" border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="center"
|+ align="center" style="background: Grey; color:white" |'''Urban sculptures of Astorga'''
|-
! width="200 px" style="background:White; color:Black"| Name
! width="100 px" style="background:White; color:Black"| Year
! width="150 px" style="background:White; color:Black" | Author
! width="100 px" style="background:White; color:Black" | Image
! width="200 px" style="background:White; color:Black"| Name
! width="100 px" style="background:White; color:Black"| Year
! width="150 px" style="background:White; color:Black" | Author
! width="100 px" style="background:White; color:Black" | Image
|-
| Monument to the Sieges || 1910 || Enrique Marín Higuero || [[File:Monumento de los Sitios.jpg|100px|center]] || The Confraternity Member<ref name="AYE"/> || 2008 || Castorina || [[File:El Cofrade.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| Monument to Leopoldo Panero<ref name="MA"/> || || Marino Amaya || [[File:02 Leopoldo Panero Astorga Ni.jpg|100px|center]] || Eleven Sides, Eleven Centuries, One Crown<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/los-pendones-coronan-reino_564386.html |title=Los pendones coronan el reino |access-date=12 July 2013 |date=11 November 2010 |last=Domingo |first=A. |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> || 2011 || José Luis de la Iglesia || [[File:Once lados, once siglos, una corona.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| Monument to Manuel Gullón || || || [[File:Monumento a Manuel Gullón 02.jpg|100px|center]] || Quo Vadis<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2011/05/06/leon/la-ciudad-salda-su-deuda-con-sendo-118081.htm |title=La ciudad salda su deuda con Sendo |access-date=12 July 2013 |last=Fernández |first=C. |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229064031/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2011/05/06/leon/la-ciudad-salda-su-deuda-con-sendo-118081.htm |archive-date=29 December 2013}}</ref> || 2011 || Sendo García || [[File:Quo Vadis, Astorga.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| Immaculate Conception<ref name="MA">{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/las-inmaculadas_80290.html |title=Las Inmaculadas |access-date=12 July 2013 |date=6 May 2003 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> || 1954 || Marino Amaya || [[File:Inmaculada Concepción, Astorga.jpg|100px|center]] || Maternity<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/maternidad-comienza-a-tomar-forma_810176.html |title='Maternidad' comienza a tomar forma |date=9 July 2013 |access-date=12 July 2013 |last=Sutil |first=Laura |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> || 2013 || Castorina || [[File:Maternidad, Astorga.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| Monument to the Bimillennium<ref name="AYE">{{Cite web |url=http://esculturayarte.com/0214/1/Escultura-y-Arte-en-Astorga.html |title=Escultura y Arte en Astorga |access-date=12 July 2013 |publisher=esculturayarte.com}}</ref> || 1986 || Castorina || [[File:Monumento del Bimilenario, Astorga.jpg|100px|center]] || || ||
| 
|}

[[File:Museo Romano de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Facade of the Roman Museum, built over the so-called Roman Ergastula]]
[[File:Capilla de la Vera Cruz.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of the Confraternity of the Holy Vera Cruz and Confalón, home to the Holy Week Museum]]
[[File:Biblioteca Municipal de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of the municipal library]]
[[File:Museo del Chocolate de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Chocolate Museum]]

=== Museums, archives, and libraries ===
The visual arts are represented in the Cathedral Museum, the Museum of Roads, and the Holy Week Museum. The Cathedral Museum, planned since 1889 by Bishop Grau, was inaugurated in April 1954 with two rooms under Bishop Jesús Mérida Pérez. Among its early visitors was the future [[Pope John XXIII]], and in 1989, [[Pope John Paul II]] visited while on the Camino de Santiago.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=126}}</ref> A 1982 renovation tripled the exhibition space by incorporating the former Cathedral School and Chapter House. It now occupies ten exhibition rooms across two floors, covering 1,400 square meters, housing liturgical and religious works from the cathedral.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo Catedralicio |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/catedralicio.htm |access-date=8 November 2013 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113070738/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/catedralicio.htm |archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> The Museum of Roads is housed in the Episcopal Palace, reorganized as such in 1962 by Bishop Mérida Pérez, preserving the interior spatial layout. It displays artifacts from the diocese, related to the Camino de Santiago, which required proper storage due to abandonment or conservation needs. Across Gaudí's designed spaces—such as the dining room, official office, throne room, bedroom, chapel, and grand vestibule—are valuable artistic pieces, including Romanesque carvings and medieval [[goldsmithing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Museo de los Caminos |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |access-date=17 December 2011 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218225728/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> The basement showcases a collection of Roman and medieval archaeology and [[numismatics]], while the upper floor, designed by García Guereta, was adapted in 1975 to exhibit works by contemporary Leonese artists.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=91}}</ref>

While Holy Week imagery is stored independently in the city's parishes and the Episcopal Palace, the Confraternity of the Holy Vera Cruz and Confalón organizes a summer exhibition of its heritage, featuring notable pieces such as the Recumbent Christ, from the early 17th century by Gregorio Español; the Golden Cross, bearing the ''[[Lignum Crucis]]''; Jesus Tied to the Column and the Crucified, from the 16th century; and carvings from Levantine workshops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capilla Museo |url=https://www.santaveracruzyconfalon.com/ |access-date=30 September 2018 |publisher=Santa Vera Cruz y Confalón}}</ref> The Roman Museum, a historical museum, is located over the Roman structure known as the Ergastula. After the municipality fully acquired the building in 1996, it was renovated, adding two floors, and opened as a museum in 1999.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=57}}</ref> It exhibits artifacts from city excavations, illustrating the lifestyle of ancient Asturica Augusta from its origins to the late Roman period, forming a significant collection both quantitatively and qualitatively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo Romano |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/romano.htm |access-date=18 December 2011 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094005/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/romano.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

Dedicated to its chocolate industry, the city is home to the Chocolate Museum, founded in 1994 by José Luis López García and municipally owned since 2005. It displays objects from the city's 19th-century industrial phase, when the rise of muleteering spurred a nascent chocolate industry in the region. Its unique collection in Spain includes antique machinery, lithographic stones, engraving plates, and collections of chocolate trading cards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo del Chocolate |date=28 June 2016 |url=http://turismoastorga.es/museo-del-chocolate/ |access-date=30 September 2018 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga}}</ref> Since 2015, it has been housed in a new modernist mansion built by chocolatier Magín Rubio and designed by architect Eduardo Sánchez Eznarriaga.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Capital del chocolate |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/museo-chocolate-abre-etapa-busca-ser-referente-europa_957156.html |access-date=16 February 2015 |date=15 February 2015 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> Lastly, dedicated to the so-called "Astorga School", the Casa Panero was inaugurated in August 2011 as the home of the Panero family and a gathering place for [[Generation of '27]] members such as [[Gerardo Diego]] and [[Luis Rosales]], housing the works of the School's writers<ref>{{Cite news |title=La casa de la familia Panero abre en Astorga |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/08/23/leon/1314097120.html |access-date=19 December 2011 |last=Sutil |first=Álvaro F. |date=24 August 2011 |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=La Escuela de Astorga ya tiene su propio museo |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2011/08/22/vivir/la-escuela-de-astorga-ya-tiene-su-propio-museo-125553.htm |access-date=19 December 2011 |last=Revuelta |first=Joaquín |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221181626/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2011/08/22/vivir/la-escuela-de-astorga-ya-tiene-su-propio-museo-125553.htm |archive-date=21 December 2011}}</ref> and the legacy of archaeologist [[José María Luengo Martínez|José María Luengo]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=El legado de Luengo enriquece la Casa Panero |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/el-legado-de-luengo-enriquece-casa-panero_783440.html |last=López |first=Sara |date=2 April 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

Astorga also has a municipal library, established in 1931 and reorganized in 1944, located in the former Hospice, a 19th-century building renovated in 1983 for cultural use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BM Astorga. Información |url=http://www.bibliotecaspublicas.es/astorga/informacion.htm |access-date=19 December 2011 |publisher=bibliotecaspublicas.es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184613/http://www.bibliotecaspublicas.es/astorga/informacion.htm |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, the city is home to the municipal historical archive, with its oldest document dating to 1253, including one of Spain's two oldest council minutes, dated 27 December 1427,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Astorga conserva una de las dos actas municipales más antiguas de España |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/astorga-conserva-una-de-las-dos-actas-municipales-mas-antiguas-de-espana_527787.html |last=Almanza |first=Maite |date=15 May 2010 |access-date=19 December 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> and the Diocesan Archive, established in 1973, housing records from the diocese since 898.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Archivo Diocesano |url=http://www.diocesisastorga.es/node/105 |access-date=19 December 2011 |publisher=[[Diocese of Astorga]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306205339/http://www.diocesisastorga.es/node/105 |archive-date=6 March 2012}}</ref>

=== Performing arts and bullfighting ===
[[File:Teatro Gullón.jpg|thumb|Facade of the Gullón Theatre]]
[[File:Golf & Folk.jpg|thumb|During the Saint Marta patronal festivities, the city hosts events such as street theater]]
Astorga is home to the Gullón Theatre, inaugurated in 1923. After its closure, it fell into disuse until the 1990s when it was converted into a nightclub. In 2006, the municipality purchased the building, and its restoration began in 2011;<ref>{{Cite news |title=El Ayuntamiento firma la compra del teatro Gullón y podrá acometer la rehabilitación |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=243703 |date=17 January 2006 |access-date=24 December 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=El Teatro Gullón solo conservará las fachadas nobles |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/el-teatro-gullon-solo-conservara-las-fachadas-nobles_634139.html |last=Domingo |first=A |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=24 December 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> after several years of work, it reopened in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.astorgadigital.com/reformado-teatro-gullon-celebra-primera-jornada-puertas-abiertas/122936 |title=El reformado Teatro Gullón celebra su primera jornada de puertas abiertas |access-date=9 May 2020 |date=23 August 2017 |newspaper=Astorga Digital}}</ref> The city also has a cinema, originating as a theatre in 1911 and operating as a movie theatre since the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Reabre el Cine Velasco |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/reabre-cine-velasco_779709.html |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013 |last=López |first=Sara |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

Several events related to performance and the arts take place in the city. During Carnival, a magic festival, held since 2004, brings together Spanish and international magicians.<ref>{{Cite news |title=La magia inundará Astorga por octavo año consecutivo |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/02/23/leon/1298479206.html |last=Sutil |first=Álvaro F. |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]}}</ref> In August, during the Santa Marta patronal festivities, the ''Ars Via'' street theatre festival features performances by various companies across the city over several days.<ref>{{Cite news |title=El teatro se abre paso en las plazas de Astorga |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2009/08/28/vivir/el-teatro-se-abre-paso-en-las-plazas-de-astorga-47557.htm |last=Revuelta |first=J. |access-date=24 December 2011 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220024412/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2009/08/28/vivir/el-teatro-se-abre-paso-en-las-plazas-de-astorga-47557.htm |archive-date=20 December 2013}}</ref> In September, since 1998, the Astorga Film Festival has been held,<ref>{{Cite web |title='El hombre que estaba allí' gana el primer premio del Festival de Cine de Astorga |url=http://www.ileon.com/cultura/032390/el-hombre-que-estaba-alli-gana-el-primer-premio-del-festival-de-cine-de-astorga |date=15 September 2013 |access-date=8 November 2013 |publisher=ileón.com}}</ref> featuring a national short film competition alongside activities such as film cycles, exhibitions, and conferences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Festival |url=http://www.cineastorga.com/elfestival.html |access-date=16 December 2011 |publisher=Festival de Cine de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923203321/http://www.cineastorga.com/elfestival.html |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During Christmas, since 2002, a story adapted for street theatre is performed across the historic center's streets.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Las calles se convierten en escenario de cuento |url=http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2009/12/28/comarcas/las-calles-se-convierten-en-escenario-de-cuento-62704.htm |access-date=24 December 2011 |newspaper=La Crónica de León |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220021417/http://www.lacronicadeleon.es/2009/12/28/comarcas/las-calles-se-convierten-en-escenario-de-cuento-62704.htm |archive-date=20 December 2013}}</ref>

[[Bullfighting]] is not deeply rooted in Astorga, and the number of enthusiasts is relatively low, but it is common to schedule a bullfight during the Santa Marta festivities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Astorga taurina |url=http://www.astorga.com/articulo/toros.htm |access-date=July 13, 2013 |author=Isidro Martínez |website=Astorga.com}}</ref> The city has a [[bullring]] constructed in the early 20th century, partly using materials from the demolition of the Marquises' castle; prior to its construction, bullfighting events were held in the Plaza Mayor.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=72}}</ref> The most prominent figure in this field from the city is the bullfighter Julio Norte, who made his debut in the [[Íscar]] bullring in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Julio Norte |url=http://www.mundotoro.com/torero/julio-norte-espana/1289 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |author=Mundotoro.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203182436/http://www.mundotoro.com/torero/julio-norte-espana/1289 |archive-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

=== Music ===
Music is a prominent element in the cultural life of the city, which has been home to musicians such as Juan de Oliver, composer of ''Sonatas de Palacio'', [[Evaristo Fernández Blanco]], a pioneer of [[serialism]] and composer of ''Obertura Dramática'', Venancio Blanco, who compiled ''Las mil y una canciones populares de la región leonesa'', Antonio Celada, and composers of sacred music such as José María Álvarez, Manuel Ansola, and González Barrón.<ref name="Alonso González 2000 185">{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=185}}</ref> Since the late 20th century, the organist Roberto Fresco has stood out.<ref name="ROB">{{Cite web |title=Curriculum |url=http://www.robertofresco.es/curriculum.html |access-date=November 19, 2013 |author=Roberto Fresco. Página oficial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028022024/http://robertofresco.es/curriculum.html |archive-date=October 28, 2013}}</ref>

The city is home to various musical groups, among which the municipal band, founded in 1894, stands out, though its origins date back at least to 1841.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia |url=http://bandastorga.wordpress.com/historia/ |access-date=December 21, 2011 |author=Banda Municipal de Música |date=25 October 2008 }}</ref> Other ensembles represent a wide variety of musical styles, including choral, instrumental, Celtic, and rock, as well as the various bands that perform during Holy Week.

In July, the International Music Course, held annually since 1993, takes place and is considered a benchmark for music education in Castile and León, as it is the only one offering all orchestral and band specialties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia del CIM |url=http://www.cursomusicastorga.es/historia.html |access-date=July 18, 2013 |author=Curso Internacional de Música |archive-date=August 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825142412/http://cursomusicastorga.es/historia.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in the summer, the Music in the Cathedral series is held, featuring various sacred music concerts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tres virtuosos en el ciclo de Música de la Catedral |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/1989/tres_virtuosos_en_el_ciclo_de_musica_de_la_catedral/ |access-date=July 18, 2013 |author=Astorga RedAcción |date=17 July 2013 }}</ref> Another musical event is the band competition, which offers a varied repertoire of processional marches each year in the days leading up to Holy Week.<ref>{{Cite news |title=El certamen de bandas de Semana Santa cumple 20 años |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/el-certamen-de-bandas-de-semana-santa-cumple-20-anos_774745.html |date=March 3, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

=== Festivals and events ===
[[File:Zuiza.JPG|thumb|Zuiza Parade]]
[[File:Napoleónicos1.JPG|thumb|In April 2012, the bicentennial of the reconquest of Astorga by Spanish troops during the [[Spanish War of Independence]] was commemorated<ref>{{Cite news |title=Las calles de Astorga reviven la batalla que liberó a la ciudad del asedio francés en 1812 |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/las-calles-de-astorga-reviven-batalla-que-libero-a-ciudad-del-asedio-frances-en-1812_687284.html |access-date=May 16, 2012 |date=April 29, 2012 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>]]
Throughout the year, several cultural and festive events take place in the city. Chronologically, in mid-January, the Puerta de Rey parish celebrates the feast of Saint Anthony with the traditional procession and blessing of pets.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Aumentan las mascotas que acuden a la fiesta de san Antón |url=http://www.diariodeleon.com/noticias/astorga/aumentan-las-mascotas-que-acuden-a-fiesta-de-san-anton_579886.html |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> In February, the San Pedro de Rectivía parish honors [[Our Lady of Candelaria]] with a procession through the neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Los vecinos del barrio de Rectivía honran a la Virgen de las Candelas |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/los-vecinos-del-barrio-de-rectivia-honran-a-virgen-de-las-candelas_238161.html |access-date=December 14, 2011 |website=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> In the same month, on a movable date, Carnival festivities begin on Piñata Saturday, the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday, with a parade featuring over a hundred groups, bands, and floats;<ref>{{Cite news |title=El gran desfile de Astorga |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/03/12/leon/1299970515.html |access-date=December 14, 2011 |date=March 13, 2011 |last=Sutil |first=Álvaro F. |newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]}}</ref> the weekend concludes with the burning of the Piñata on Sunday night.<ref name="FIE">{{Cite web |title=Fiestas |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/fiestas/index.htm |access-date=December 14, 2011 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214042749/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/fiestas/index.htm |archive-date=December 14, 2011}}</ref> In mid-April, the feast of the patron saint Turibius is celebrated, complemented since the early 21st century with a trade fair and a [[tapas]] competition among the city's restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Un potaje para Santo Toribio |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/un-potaje-para-santo-toribio_602037.html |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=December 15, 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> On a movable date, in years of drought, it is traditional to hold nine days of prayers in the cathedral to the Virgin of Castrotierra,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rubio Pérez |first=Laureano Manuel |year=1981 |title=La Virgen de Castrotierra. Su historia, santuario y romería |journal=Tierras de León: Revista de la Diputación Provincial |volume=21 |issue=42 |pages=75–88 |issn=0495-5773 |url=http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/tierras-de-leon/html/42/7virgen.pdf |access-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203135034/http://www.saber.es/web/biblioteca/libros/tierras-de-leon/html/42/7virgen.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> brought from her sanctuary seventeen kilometers away in a procession involving residents of nearby regions along with the [[pennon]]s of each locality, with the transfer decided by the vote of the Procurators of the Land.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=194}}</ref>

On a movable date, the Corpus Christi procession is held.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Numerosos fieles acompañaron a la Custodia |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/1526/numerosos_fieles_acompanaron_a_la_custodia/ |access-date=July 10, 2013 |date=June 2, 2013 |newspaper=Astorga Redacción}}</ref> In June, every three years, the Zuiza festival is celebrated, an ancient commemoration of the Christian victory at the Battle of Clavijo, revived in 1994, during which the Clavijo Pennon—kept in the Town Hall—is processed, receiving honors as a captain general and escorted by fifty ''zuizones''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tradición ancestral |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/tradicion-ancestral_804491.html |last=López |first=Sara |date=June 17, 2013 |access-date=June 26, 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> At the end of the same month, the San Andrés and San Pedro de Rectivía neighborhoods celebrate their festivals with traditional games and evening parties, among other events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comienzan las fiestas del barrio de San Andrés |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/1740/comienzan_las_fiestas_del_barrio_de_san_andres/ |access-date=July 10, 2013 |author=Astorga RedAcción |date=20 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=El barrio de Rectivía celebra las fiestas de san Pedro |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/el-barrio-de-rectivia-celebra-las-fiestas-de-san-pedro_536507.html |access-date=July 10, 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = center
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = Circo Romano Asturica.jpg
| width1            = 700
| caption1          = A view of the bullring just before the 2013 Roman Circus
}}

At the end of July, the Astures and Romans Festival is celebrated, originating in 1986 and declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest in 2011;<ref name="TUREG">{{Cite web |title=ORDEN CYT/1429/2011, de 20 de octubre, por la que se declaran Fiestas de Interés Turístico de Castilla y León |url=http://bocyl.jcyl.es/boletines/2011/11/23/pdf/BOCYL-D-23112011-22.pdf |access-date=November 24, 2011 |author=Bocyl.es}}</ref> it commemorates the city's ancient past with events such as the Roman circus, Roman market, and the establishment of a Roman camp and Astur settlement in Melgar Park.<ref name="FIE" /> At the end of August, the city's patronal festivals in honor of Santa Marta take place, featuring evening parties, concerts, street theater, parades of giants and big heads, sports competitions, an artisan fair, and the traditional "Long Night", the highlight of the festivities with uninterrupted music until dawn.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|pp=197–198}}</ref><ref name="FIE" />

Finally, on movable dates—the first edition was in 2004—the Napoleonic Days are held, commemorating the events of the War of Independence, when the city endured two sieges by French troops.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Napoleón en Astorga |url=http://leonoticias.com/frontend/leonoticias/Napoleon-En-Astorga-vn21874-vst218 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |newspaper=Leonoticias.com}}</ref> The 2012 edition marked the bicentennial of the city's reconquest by General [[José María Santocildes|Santocildes]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=La crisis deja sin recreaciones a las Jornadas Napoleónicas de la ciudad |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/la-crisis-deja-sin-recreaciones-a-las-jornadas-napoleonicas-de-ciudad_546734.html |access-date=December 16, 2011 |website=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

=== Holy Week ===
[[File:Domingo de ramos astorga.jpg|thumb|Float of ''La Borriquilla'', processed on the morning of [[Palm Sunday]]]]
[[File:Nazareno, Silencio.jpg|thumb|Image of Jesus Nazarene on the night of [[Maundy Thursday]], during the procession organized by the Brotherhood of the Knights of Silence]]
Holy Week in Astorga is declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest<ref name="TURNAC">{{Cite web |title=Resolución de 27 de julio de 2011, de la Secretaría General de Turismo y Comercio Interior, por la que se concede el título de «Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional» a la fiesta «Semana Santa» de Astorga (León). |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2011/08/09/pdfs/BOE-A-2011-13653.pdf |access-date=August 10, 2011 |author=boe.es}}</ref> and a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ORDEN de 26 de septiembre de 1997, de la Consejería de Industria, Comercio y Turismo de la Junta de Castilla y León, por la que se declara Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Castilla y León |url=http://bocyl.jcyl.es/boletines/1997/10/28/pdf/BOCYL-D-28101997-2.pdf |access-date=February 13, 2011 |author=[[Junta de Castilla y León]]}}</ref> during which eight brotherhoods and confraternities, along with the Holy Week Promotion Board, process a total of forty floats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Junta Profomento de la Semana Santa de Astorga |url=http://www.semanasanta-astorga.com/index.htm |access-date=January 1, 2009 |author=Junta Profomento |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112133133/http://www.semanasanta-astorga.com/index.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> These eight include the Brotherhood of the Holy True Cross and Confalón, one of the oldest in the country, with its earliest document dating to 1475,<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=201}}</ref> the Royal Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus Nazarene and Most Holy Mary of Solitude, from 1674, the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Sorrows, from 1911, the Brotherhood of the Knights of Silence of Our Father Jesus Nazarene, from 1926, the Brotherhood of the Blessed Christ of the Afflicted, from 1943, the Brotherhood of the Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, from 1953, the Brotherhood of the Last Supper, from 1969, and the Brotherhood of the Ladies of the Virgin of Piety, from 1992.

Among the most notable events are the Way of the Cross, organized by the Holy Week Promotion Board and involving all brotherhoods; some of the events on Good Friday, such as the Encounter procession—with the traditional San Juanín race—, the Descent from the Cross in the Plaza Mayor, or the Solitude procession; and the Resurrection procession on Easter Sunday. Among the religious imagery, standout pieces include the Crucified Christ, from 1560, the Blessed Christ of the Afflicted, from the late 17th century, the Virgin of Solitude, also from the late 17th century, the Virgin of Sorrows, a 1706 work by José de Rozas, the Jesus Nazarene, from 1783, and the Golden Cross, from 1789. Alongside the religious aspects, various customs accompany the celebration during Holy Week, such as "[[Matar judíos|killing Jews]]" or eating ''bolla''—a pastry made of flour, honey, and milk—paired with [[muscat wine]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=204}}</ref>

=== Cultural life ===
Since the 19th century, Astorga has been a significant cultural center.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=179}}</ref> Among its earliest notable authors are Bishop [[Sampiro]], who between the 10th and 11th centuries wrote the ''Chronicle'' bearing his name, and Juan Lorenzo de Astorga, author, between the 13th and 14th centuries, of manuscript O of the ''[[Libro de Alexandre]]''.

The Church and its members played a prominent role in literary production; thus, figures emerged such as Alfonso de la Madre de Dios, with his 1618 work ''Chronica de la reforma de su religión'', Pedro Aingo de Ezpeleta, who published in 1634 ''Fundación de la Santa, Cathedral Iglesia de la ciudad de Astorga'', and Pedro Junco, who in 1639 published ''Fundación, armas y nombres de Astorga''. To these should be added the extensive documentary production generated by the diocese. In the 19th century, a range of authors gained prominence, including, among others, Marcelo Macías and Francisco Blanco García, author of ''Spanish Literature in the 19th Century'', both from the ecclesiastical sphere, jurists such as Alfonso de Villadiego, Mateo Martínez Moreda, Manuel García Prieto, and Manuel Prieto de Castro, and the bibliographer Andrés Martínez Salazar.
[[File:Casa Panero, Astorga.jpg|thumb|The Casa Panero recalls the so-called Astorga School]]
At the beginning of the 20th century, the wealth generated by the chocolate industry fostered the emergence of a prosperous bourgeoisie, among whose descendants a true "cultural Parnassus" was born, with poets such as [[Juan Panero]] and [[Leopoldo Panero]], literary critics such as [[Ricardo Gullón]], and writers such as Luis Alonso Luengo, all part of the so-called "Astorga School".<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=182}}</ref> In the following years, this cultural splendor was enriched by other poets such as Eugenio de Nora and Esteban Carro Celada, novelists such as José María Goy, intellectuals such as Julio Carro, and scholars such as Augusto Quintana Prieto, Eduardo Aragón, and [[José María Luengo Martínez|José María Luengo]], as well as literary gatherings and debates held in various city venues such as the Café Moderno, Café Iris, and Gran Café Universal. Additionally, several theatrical societies were established, affiliated with the Casino, the Catholic Circle, the Segura cultural center, La Unión, and the Friendship Society.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=183}}</ref>

Since the last decades of the 20th century, the city's cultural life has been driven not only by the various events held but, especially, by the more than fifty associations that exist, which organize numerous cultural activities and events throughout the year.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=192}}</ref> These include social, cultural, sports, parents', and neighborhood associations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.64/relcategoria.370/idmenu.1050/chk.022cf67a1a10fa252817377e4fa81684.html |title=Asociaciones de Astorga |access-date=November 8, 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062558/http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.64/relcategoria.370/idmenu.1050/chk.022cf67a1a10fa252817377e4fa81684.html |archive-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{See also|Leonese language}}
{{Blockquote|"Pastorcicus semus, d'Uriente venimus, bulsillus trayemus, diñeiro pidimus. Que Dios vus lo dea para nus lu dar. L'astrella nus guia a este santu hogar."<br>''Shepherds' song for Epiphany.''<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso Garrote|2011|p=97}}</ref>}}
[[File:Ríu Xerga.JPG|thumb|Protest graffiti advocating for the use of traditional toponymy on road signs<ref>{{Cite book|last=González Arias|first=Ismael María|title=L'Asturies cismontana|year=2003|isbn=978-84-95640-67-3|location=|publisher=Publicaciones Ámbitu|page=124}}</ref>]]
The language spoken in the municipality is Spanish or Castilian, but until the 20th century, numerous forms derived from Leonese, belonging to the western variant of [[Asturleonese]], persisted in everyday speech in Astorga and its surroundings, as well as in [[Maragatería]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso Garrote|2011|p=22}}</ref> Phonetically, some of the main features included the diphthongization of /o/ and /e/, the preservation of falling diphthongs, the inflection of the tonic vowel, the substitution of final /o/ with /u/, and the retention of the initial Latin /f-/. In terms of morphology, notable features included a scarcity of prefixes and, conversely, an abundance of suffixes, especially diminutives, and regarding its verbal system, the absence of compound tenses and the placement of personal pronouns after the verb.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso Garrote|2011|pp=27–85}}</ref>

In recent years, various groups such as La Caleya and Faceira have undertaken efforts to defend and promote the Leonese linguistic heritage through activities such as organizing Leonese language courses, informative talks, and literary competitions.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/la-caleya-entrega-los-premios-del-concurso-de-relatos-en-leones_376060.html |title=La Caleya entrega los premios del concurso de relatos en leonés |access-date=December 19, 2011 |date=March 25, 2008 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]] |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319132229/http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/la-caleya-entrega-los-premios-del-concurso-de-relatos-en-leones_376060.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/cultura/xose-anton-gonzalez-riano-cierra-hoy-con-una-charla-los-cursos-de-leones-organizados-por-caleya_393117.html |title=Xosé Antón González Riaño cierra hoy con una charla los cursos de leonés organizados por La Caleya |access-date=December 19, 2011 |date=June 25, 2008 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]] |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320081947/http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/cultura/xose-anton-gonzalez-riano-cierra-hoy-con-una-charla-los-cursos-de-leones-organizados-por-caleya_393117.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://astorgaredaccion.com/not/2150/concurso_literario_en_la_lengua_de_nuestros_abuelos/ |title=Concurso literario en la lengua de nuestros abuelos |access-date=August 2, 2013 |newspaper=Astorga Redacción}}</ref> In collaboration with the Culture Department of the Junta of Castile and León, the Provincial Council of León—through the Leonese Institute of Culture—and the Astorga City Council, several traditional Leonese story competitions were held, involving schoolchildren up to 14 years old from the province of León; the stories, written in the linguistic variants of León—Leonese, Galician, and Castilian—were compiled in the book ''Cuentos populares leoneses (escritos por niños)''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/cultura/caleya-organiza-concurso-cuento-leones_61732.html |title=La Caleya organiza el concurso de cuento leonés |access-date=September 30, 2018 |date=January 18, 2003 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> Likewise, as a result of the collaboration between the cultural associations Facendera pola Llengua and La Caleya, in 2009, ''El Prencipicu'' was published,<ref>{{Cite book |author=Antoine De Saint-Exupéry |title=El Prencipicu (traducción del ''Principito'' al cabreirés por varios autores) |year=2009 |publisher=El Búho Viajero |isbn=978-84-96872-03-5}}</ref> a version in the Cabreirés dialect of the work by French writer [[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry]], ''[[The Little Prince]]''. The book emerged from pedagogical work with seven Cabreira students at the Astorga IES student residence within the so-called Cabreira Culture Classroom.

=== Traditional clothing ===
[[File:Maragato des environs d'Astorga.jpg|thumb|Illustration of a ''maragato'' from the mid-19th century]]
[[File:Murias, maragatos.jpg|thumb|Group of ''maragatos'' from Murias de Rechivaldo]]
An important part of ''[[Maragato]]'' folklore is its traditional clothing. The typical [[muleteer]] outfit, used during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, is notable among traditional attire for its continued daily use until a relatively late date; it is categorized as an occupational outfit, worn during travel, and is characterized by its functionality, with materials and shapes that protected against the elements and facilitated muleteer activities, evolving little over time, making it distinctly different from the clothing of other Leonese ''comarcas'', unlike women's clothing, which progressively lost variety and distinctiveness.<ref name="TRA">{{Cite web |title=Traje maragato |url=http://museodeltraje.mcu.es/popups/01-2009.pdf |access-date=December 16, 2011 |author=[[Museo del Traje]]}}</ref>

The men's outfit consisted of a shirt, vest, waistcoat, breeches or trousers, a belt—embroidered for festive days and dancing, according to social status—[[gaiters]], shoes, a hat, and a cape. Some of these garments, such as the waistcoat or breeches, appear to date back to the 16th or 17th centuries, according to various authors;<ref name="TRA"/> the latter are somewhat unique compared to those used in other Spanish ''comarcas'', being wide or baggy breeches, finding similarity only in the traditional attire of [[Mallorca]].<ref name="MARA">{{Cite book |last=Sutil Pérez |first=José Manuel |year=1997 |title=Maragatos en un desfile |page=22 |location=León |publisher=Ediciones Leonesas |isbn=84-8012-165-3 }}</ref>

The {{Interlanguage link|Women's clothing in Spain|lt=women's outfit|es|Indumentaria femenina en España}} is an evolution of the ancient attire, influenced by the clothing of neighboring areas and lacking the originality of the men's attire, but it retains great richness in terms of garments and accessories. It consists of a white skirt, a ''zagalejo'' (in cloth of various colors, depending on the wearer's social status), a ''faltriquera''—an inner pocket—a ''manteo'', an apron—embroidered in silk or felt, depending on social status—a [[Doublet (clothing)|doublet]], a neck scarf, a headscarf—different for single and married women—a mantle for religious ceremonies, ribbons and white lace, shoes, and jewelry—[[earrings]] or chokers, pendants, and rings. An exception to this typology is the outfit of the [[May Queen]]s, young dancers, which is more vibrant and colorful than the traditional ''Maragato'' attire, featuring red, green, and white prominently.<ref name="MARA"/>

=== Crossroads of paths ===
[[File:Hispania roads.svg|thumb|Map of the main Roman roads in Hispania]]
Due to its location and historical development, Astorga has been a meeting and departure point for paths, peoples, and cultures since ancient times.<ref name="Alonso González 2000 17"/> During the [[Ancient Rome|Roman period]], it was connected to the main cities of the time through several [[Roman road|communication routes]]. In the so-called ''Astorga Tablets'' from the 3rd century,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/cultura/los-analisis-resuelven-enigma-de-las-tablas-de-barro-de-astorga-son-autenticas_783372.html |title=Los análisis resuelven el enigma de las Tablas de barro de Astorga: son auténticas |access-date=June 26, 2013 |last=Viñas |first=Verónica |date=April 2, 2013 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=García y Bellido |first=A. |year=1975 |title=El llamado "Itinerario de barro" |journal=Boletín de la Real Academia de la Historia |volume=172 |issue=3 |pages=547–563 |url=http://descargas.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/35772718989144619754491/013781.pdf?incr=1 |access-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-date=August 30, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050830232432/http://descargas.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/35772718989144619754491/013781.pdf?incr=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref> various routes mentioning Asturica are cited. Also in the 3rd century, the ''[[Antonine Itinerary]]'' indicates the network of communications linking the city with [[Bracara Augusta]] ([[Braga]]) via route XVIII, or through Lucus Augusti ([[Lugo]]) on route XIX, to [[Augusta Emerita]] ([[Mérida (Spain)|Mérida]]), to [[Tarragona]] via [[Caesaraugusta]] ([[Zaragoza]]) on route XXXII or Ab Asturica Terracone, or with [[Bordeaux]], via route XXXIV or [[Ab Asturica Burdigalam]]: practically to the four cardinal points of [[Hispania Tarraconensis]], through which troops, travelers, and products, mainly gold from [[Las Médulas]], were transported.<ref group='note'>Asturica became a communications hub in western Hispania, as recorded in the ''[[Antonine Itinerary]]'', compiled during the reign of Emperor [[Caracalla]] (211 to 217 CE).</ref>

From the south, the so-called Silver Route connected Mérida with Astorga (''Iter ab Emeritam Asturica'') and centuries later coincided in parts with the Cañada Real de la Vizana, along which [[transhumance|transhumant]] herds traveled from Extremadura to the Leonese mountains.<ref group='note'>This route was used by the Arabs to penetrate the northern peninsula. They named it B'lata, meaning "well-paved road."</ref> In modern times, it forms part of one of the main communication routes structuring western Spain, from Gijón to Seville, via the N-630 and the [[Autovía A-66|Silver Route motorway/highway]]; various institutions promote this axis as a tourist route called the Silver Route,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rutadelaplata.com/ |title=Ruta Vía de la Plata |access-date=April 19, 2012 |author=Red de Cooperación de Ciudades en la Ruta de la Plata}}</ref> which has generated controversy, as historical evidence defines its route exclusively between Mérida and Astorga, and the Association of Silver Route Towns, chaired by the Astorga mayor's office, has carried out protest actions since 2006 against the artificial extension of the Route.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.es/20081010/castilla-leon-castilla-leon/astorga-boicotea-acto-promocional-20081010.html |title=Astorga boicotea un acto promocional en Barcelona de la "falsa" Vía de la Plata |access-date=April 19, 2012 |date=October 10, 2008 |newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=449700 |title=Los pueblos de la vía apelarán a la Junta para que señalice la calzada |access-date=April 19, 2012 |date=April 26, 2009 |last=Almanza |first=Maite |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

To the east, the road connecting Asturica with Legio, which then continued to Caesaraugusta, was used as the Camino de Santiago and became the basis for the current [[N-120 road (Spain)|N-120]]. To the west, the road to Lucus Augusti and [[Gallaecia]] also became, centuries later, a section of the Camino de Santiago, which, leaving Astorga, passes through Foncebadón, Ponferrada, and Villafranca del Bierzo, among other places.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=19}}</ref> Around these main routes, other paths were woven, such as those used by muleteers or for [[Razzia (military)|razzias]], utilized by [[Tariq ibn Ziyad|Tariq]], [[Musa ibn Nusayr|Musa]], or [[Almanzor]], as well as by French troops during the Spanish War of Independence. All these routes were always active, contributing to the exchange of people and cultures and the introduction of various artistic styles. Currently, Astorga preserves the history of some of these communication routes in the Museum of the Paths, established in 1962.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Museo de los Caminos |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |access-date=May 21, 2012 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621065756/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/quevisitar/caminos.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref>

;Camino de Santiago
[[File:Albergue de peregrinos de Astorga.jpg|thumb|Exterior view of the Siervas de María pilgrim hostel]]
Of the various pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, the most widely used and well-known since the Middle Ages is the French Way, which originated from the Roman road [[Ab Asturica Burdigalam]]. Its route reaches Astorga from the town of [[San Justo de la Vega]], entering the city through the former Sun Gate, which no longer exists. The pilgrim continues through San Francisco (formerly Calle de las Tiendas), Plaza Mayor, Pío Gullón (previously Rúa Nueva), Santiago Crespo, Santiago (formerly Caleya Yerma), and arrives in front of the Episcopal Palace, the Church of Santa Marta, and the cathedral. From there, the pilgrim proceeds through Leopoldo Panero, San Pedro, reaching the modern San Pedro Church in the Rectivía suburb. Crossing the [[N-6 road (Spain)|N-6]], the path continues toward the Foncebadón Pass.

During the Middle Ages, the city had numerous hostels or hospitals for pilgrims. Some, such as the Hospital of San Juan Bautista, where according to tradition [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis]] spent a few days recovering, gave rise to modern charitable institutions, but most disappeared over the centuries, leaving only their memory and some descriptions in preserved documentation. Until the late 1980s, pilgrims found shelter and lodging through the [[Catholic religious congregation|congregation]] of the [[Brothers of Our Lady of Lourdes]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valiña Sampedro |first=Elías |year=1985 |title=El Camino de Santiago, guía del peregrino |url=https://archive.org/details/elcaminodesantia0000vali |page=[https://archive.org/details/elcaminodesantia0000vali/page/116 116] |publisher=Everest |isbn=84-241-4200-4 |access-date=May 22, 2012}}</ref> but since then, these services have been provided, on one hand, by the Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago in Astorga,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Astorga |url=http://www.caminodesantiagoastorga.com/ |access-date=May 22, 2012 |author=Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago}}</ref> which, after operating in various locations, has managed the Siervas de María hostel since 2006, with a total of 164 beds, and on the other hand, by the San Javier hostel, opened in 2003 and managed by the Vía de la Plata Cultural Association, offering 110 beds, and the Só Por Hoje hostel, opened in 2019, offering 10 beds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.alberguescaminosantiago.com/poblaciones/astorga-leon-camino-de-santiago/ |title=Astorga, León, Camino Francés :: Guía del Camino de Santiago |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Albergues del Camino de Santiago |language=es}}</ref> The Association of Friends received the Elías Valiña Award in 2007 from the [[Government of Galicia]], recognizing its efforts in promoting the Jacobean routes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago |url=http://www.caminodesantiagoastorga.com/index.php?modulo=1&noticia=42 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |author=Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago}}</ref>

=== Gastronomy ===
[[File:Cecina.jpg|thumb|Plate of ''[[cecina de León]]'']]
[[File:Mantecadas de Astorga.jpg|thumb|''[[Mantecadas de Astorga]]'']]
[[File:Merles de Astorga.jpg|thumb|''Merles de Astorga'']]
{{See also|Leonese cuisine}}

Astorga's gastronomy is tied to the region's agriculture and livestock. The most famous dish is the Maragato stew, characterized by being served in reverse order, starting with the meats—which can include up to twelve types—followed by chickpeas, potatoes, and vegetables, then the soup, and ending with dessert, typically custard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cocido Maragato |url=http://www.castrillodelospolvazares.net/cocido_maragato |access-date=January 1, 2014 |author=www.castrillodelospolvazares.net |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224011640/http://www.castrillodelospolvazares.net/cocido_maragato |url-status=dead}}</ref> The reason for this reversed order is not definitively known, but the custom seems to originate with the [[muleteer]]s, who preferred to eat cold meat first and then heat the soup upon arriving in a town.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=210}}</ref>

Other notable dishes include garlic soup, muleteer-style conger eel, sweetbreads in sauce, cabbage with cod, and ''[[cecina de León]]'', a cured beef product that has held a [[Geographical indication|Protected Geographical Indication]] since 1994, with its Regulatory Council based in Astorga.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Página oficial |url=http://www.cecinadeleon.org/ |access-date=September 30, 2010 |author=Consejo Regulador de la Cecina de León}}</ref> These culinary options, fundamental to the region's people, are preserved and promoted by the Gastronomic and Cultural Association "El Borrallo", whose cooking days culminate in the [[pig slaughter]], yielding various products.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Las jornadas de cocina de El Borrallo alcanzan su ecuador con la matanza |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=108329 |access-date=September 30, 2010 |last=Almanza |first=Maite |date=November 17, 2003 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

In terms of confectionery, sweets hold a prominent place in Astorga's cuisine. The most famous are the ''[[Mantecadas de Astorga]]'', which have a Protected Geographical Indication.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mantecadas de Astorga |url=http://www.mantecadasdeastorga.es/igp.html |access-date=January 3, 2009 |author=IGP Mantecadas de Astorga |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921064423/http://www.mantecadasdeastorga.es/igp.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first written mention of them dates to 1805, and their commercialization began in 1850; their origin is uncertain, though it is believed the recipe came from a nun at the Sancti Spiritus convent who left the order to marry and popularized it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Alonso González|2000|p=211}}</ref> Another sweet, also widespread in the province, is the [[Hojaldres|''Hojaldres de Astorga'']], puff pastries soaked in syrup, originating in the mid-20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hojaldres de Astorga |url=http://www.patrimonio-gastronomico.com/panreposteria_c.shtml?idboletin=129&idseccion=415&idarticulo=3251 |access-date=January 3, 2009 |author=patrimonio-gastronomico.com}}</ref> Also notable are the ''merles'', a puff pastry filled with cream and topped with caramelized sugar,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asemac |url=http://www.asemac.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=265&Itemid=123 |access-date=January 3, 2009 |author=Asemac}}</ref> and chocolate, present in Astorga since the mid-19th century, when the city had 41 chocolate factories in 1916, of which only four remain.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Alonso|first=Joaquín|title=Astorga. Ciudad Bimilenaria|year=2000|isbn=84-8183-073-9|location=León|publisher=Ámbito|page=212}}</ref>

== Media ==
[[File:El Faro Astorgano.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of the newspaper ''El Faro Astorgano'']]
;Print media
Astorga's journalistic tradition dates back to 1852, when the first periodical, the ''Boletín Eclesiástico del Obispado'', was published. By the end of the century, in 1885, the weekly ''Pedro Mato'' appeared, in 1892, the Catholic weekly ''La Luz de Astorga'', and in 1899, ''El Heraldo Astorgano''. In 1903, ''La Lid'' was published three times a week under the motto "freedom, progress, morality, and work", and ''El Faro Astorgano'', a Catholic newspaper, was founded. The following year, ''El Pensamiento Astorgano'' began publication, in 1906, ''El Evangelio en Astorga'', and in 1907, ''El Adalid''. Later, in 1917, the weekly ''El Fresco'' was born, and in 1928, the weekly ''Humo'' began under the guidance of Ricardo Gullón, Leopoldo Panero, and Luis Alonso Luengo.<ref name="Alonso González 2000 185"/>

Of these, ''El Faro Astorgano'' is the most prominent, with regional, provincial, and autonomous reach, available in both print and digital editions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Faro Astorgano |url=http://www.astorga.com/faro/ |access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref> It is joined by the ''Cuadernos Municipales'', dedicated to historical and artistic heritage, the magazine ''Catedral'', by the Friends of the Cathedral association, the magazine ''Argutorio'', by the Monte Irago cultural association, and publications by several Holy Week brotherhoods. Major national newspapers, as well as the provincial ''[[Diario de León]]'' and ''La Nueva Crónica'', are also available.

;Electronic media
In Astorga, listeners can tune in to national and regional radio stations, as well as local stations that broadcast programs dedicated to local news at different times of the day. Examples include [[Cadena COPE|COPE Astorga]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricardo García y Cristina Fernández: responsables de COPE Astorga |url=http://adelantobanezano.com/?interview=ricardo-garcia-y-cristina-fernandez-responsables-de-cope-astorga |access-date=June 9, 2013 |work=El Adelanto Bañezano |date=May 21, 2012}}</ref> and Castilla y León Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://guiadelaradio.com/emisoras-leon |title=Emisoras León – Guia de la Radio |access-date=October 9, 2021 |language=es}}</ref>

Regarding digital media, at the local and regional level, notable are the two websites of the City Council, offering significant institutional and tourist information, the digital version of ''El Faro Astorgano'', the digital newspaper ''Astorga Redacción'', founded in 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Astorga Redacción', un nuevo digital conducido por Antonia Reinares |url=http://tamtampress.es/2013/03/08/astorga-redaccion-nuevo-digital-conducido-por-antonia-reinares/ |access-date=June 9, 2013 |date=March 8, 2013 |newspaper=tamtampress.es}}</ref> the digital newspaper ''Diario de Astorga'', founded in 2014,<ref>{{Cite news |title=La sociedad astorgana tiende la mano al nuevo Diario de Astorga |url=http://www.astorgadigital.com/la-sociedad-astorgana-tiende-la-mano-al-nuevo-diario-de-astorga/39863 |date=March 21, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2016 |newspaper=Diario de Astorga}}</ref> and the portal Astorga.com.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Astorga.com |url=http://www.astorga.com |access-date=April 18, 2012}}</ref>

== Sports ==
[[File:Pabellón Felipe Miñambres.jpg|thumb|Felipe Miñambres Sports Pavilion]]
[[File:Fachada La Eragudina.jpg|thumb|Facade of the La Eragudina sports complex, where [[Atlético Astorga FC|Atlético Astorga]] plays its matches]]
;Sports entities
The most important sports entity in the city is the [[Atlético Astorga FC|Atlético Astorga Club de Fútbol]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlético Astorga C.F. |url=http://www.atleticoastorga.com |access-date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> which competes in the [[Tercera División|Spanish Third Division]]. [[Futsal]] has a strong tradition in the city, which until 2001 was home to the [[Astorga FS|Astorga Fútbol Sala]] team, which played in the [[Primera División de Futsal|First Division]] of the [[LNFS|Spanish Futsal League]] from its founding in 1989 until 2001, when the club dissolved due to financial difficulties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Dulma Astorga desaparece |url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/PUB/2001/02/20/EMD20010220021MDP.pdf |access-date=April 18, 2012 |newspaper=[[El Mundo Deportivo]]}}</ref>

Other sports or activities practiced in Astorga include cycling, with the Astorga Cycling Club, [[slot car racing]], with the Slot Club Astorga, motor sports with the Moto-Quad Senderos Maragatos sports club or the Astorga Motorcycle Sports Club, hiking with the La Salle sports club, and [[kung fu]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asociaciones deportivas |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.81/cat.380/chk.dfce95d37cd38c935128ff2e62a2c62a.html |access-date=November 8, 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705161425/http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.81/cat.380/chk.dfce95d37cd38c935128ff2e62a2c62a.html |archive-date=July 5, 2013}}</ref> at the school run by the Jiménez family, known for their displays of strength and endurance.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nuevos retos para los Jiménez |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/nuevos-retos-para-los-jimenez_626633.html |access-date=April 18, 2012 |date=August 20, 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Los Jiménez, una familia de forzudos |url=http://www.antena3.com/noticias/sociedad/jimenez-familia-forzudos_2010082600166.html |access-date=April 18, 2012 |author=((Antena3.com))}}</ref> Additionally, the City Council operates various municipal sports schools for athletics, basketball, futsal, Leonese wrestling, and swimming.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Escuelas Deportivas Municipales |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.listado/relcategoria.382/relcategoriainicial.371/idmenu.116/chk.f6135cbf3c1be67133cc1fc70f1007a2.html |access-date=November 8, 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062508/http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.listado/relcategoria.382/relcategoriainicial.371/idmenu.116/chk.f6135cbf3c1be67133cc1fc70f1007a2.html |archive-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref>

;Sports events
Among the main sports events organized in the city are, on one hand, the Cycling Tour Against Drugs, which annually gathers several hundred participants for a route around Astorga,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/provincia/mil-seiscientos-contra-droga_559604.html |title=Mil seiscientos contra la droga |access-date=April 18, 2012 |date=October 18, 2010 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> and on the other hand, local tournaments in various disciplines such as football, billiards, or tennis during the patronal festivals of Santa Marta at the end of August.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/las-fiestas-patronales-contaran-con-un-presupuesto-de-330-000-euros_211868.html |title=Las fiestas patronales contarán con un presupuesto de {{formatnum:330000}} euros |access-date=April 18, 2012 |last=Merino |first=Silvia |date=August 12, 2005 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>

In 1947, 1967, and 2011, Astorga was a stage start or finish for the [[Vuelta a España]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historia.lavuelta.com/es/salida.asp?n=Astorga |title=Salidas y Metas. Astorga |access-date=April 18, 2012 |author=lavuelta.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193049/http://historia.lavuelta.com/es/salida.asp?n=Astorga |archive-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> and it has also been a passage point several times for the [[Vuelta a Castilla y León]] and the [[Vuelta Ciclista a León]].

;Facilities
For sports practice, there are various facilities located mainly in the La Eragudina area: the football field "La Eragudina", where Atlético Astorga plays its matches,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.terrenosdejuego.com/detalle-campo.asp?Id_Team=1059 |title=La Eragudina |access-date=April 18, 2012 |author=terrenosdejuego.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192607/http://www.terrenosdejuego.com/detalle-campo.asp?Id_Team=1059 |archive-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref> the Felipe Miñambres Municipal Sports Pavilion, municipal swimming pools, a gymnasium, several tennis courts, and two [[padel]] courts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.listado/relcategoria.381/relcategoriainicial.371/idmenu.116/chk.4605967ac2c76a1062f57410e738e3e7.html |title=Instalaciones Deportivas Municipales |access-date=November 8, 2013 |author=Ayuntamiento de Astorga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062512/http://www.aytoastorga.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.listado/relcategoria.381/relcategoriainicial.371/idmenu.116/chk.4605967ac2c76a1062f57410e738e3e7.html |archive-date=July 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=499758 |title=La zona deportiva de Astorga incluye pistas de pádel y una piscina de recreo |access-date=April 18, 2012 |date=January 5, 2010 |last=Domingo |first=A. |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref> Additionally, Astorga has a motocross circuit located in the El Sierro area.

== Twin towns ==
The city of Astorga participates in the [[city twinning]] initiative promoted, among other institutions, by the [[European Union]]. Through this initiative, ties have been established with the following cities:

{| class="wikitable"
|+Twin towns
|- style="background:silver"
! Country
! City
! Twinning date
|-
| {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spain]]
| [[Reus]]
| 1988<ref>{{Cite news |title=Astorga está celebrando el Año de Gaudí con mucha propiedad |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/cultura/astorga-esta-celebrando-ano-de-gaudi-con-mucha-propiedad-_37173.html |access-date=November 6, 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Western Sahara}} [[Sahrawi refugee camps|Tindouf Refugee Camps]]
| Aargub
| 1993<ref>{{Cite web |title=Noticias del siglo XX |url=http://www.rectivia.org/p2a1.html |access-date=April 23, 2014 |author=Rectivia.org}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| [[Moissac]]
| 1996<ref>{{Cite news |title=Los ciudadanos de Moissac celebran los diez años de hermanamiento |url=http://www.diariodeleon.es/noticias/astorga/los-ciudadanos-de-moissac-celebran-los-diez-anos-de-hermanamiento_272506.html |access-date=November 6, 2011 |newspaper=[[Diario de León]]}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spain]]
| [[Clavijo]]
| March 25, 2007<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hermanamiento Clavijo-Astorga |url=http://www.ayuntamientodeclavijo.org/Hermanamiento-Clavijo-Astorga.3832.0.html |access-date=November 6, 2011 |author=Ayuntamiento de Clavijo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314221020/http://www.ayuntamientodeclavijo.org/Hermanamiento-Clavijo-Astorga.3832.0.html |archive-date=March 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spain]]
| [[Mérida (Spain)|Mérida]]
| 2012<ref>{{Cite news |title=Astorga se hermana con Mérida |url=http://leonoticias.com/frontend/leonoticias/Astorga-Se-Hermana-Con-Merida-vn109830-vst218 |access-date=December 2, 2012 |newspaper=Leonoticias.com}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Notable people ==
[[File:Pio Gullon e Iglesias (Vicente Palmaroli).jpg|thumb|The minister [[Pío Gullón Iglesias|Pío Gullón]]]]
{{Main|Category:People from Astorga, Spain}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|León|Content related to the [[Province of León]]}}
* [[Diocese of Astorga]]
* [[Marquess of Astorga]]
* [[Maragatería]]

== Notes ==
<references group='note'/>

{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|20em}}

== Bibliography ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Alonso Garrote
 |first=Santiago
 |title=El dialecto vulgar leonés hablado en Maragatería y Tierra de Astorga
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cgpZjYdf97YC
 |location=Astorga
 |year=2011
 |orig-year=1909
 |publisher=none
|isbn=978-84-9761-987-5
 }}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Alonso Gavela
 |first=María Jesús
 |title=Gaudí en Astorga
 |location=Salamanca
 |year=1983
 |isbn=8430091718
 |publisher=none
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Alonso González
 |first=Joaquín
 |title=Astorga. Ciudad Bimilenaria
 |publisher=Ámbito
 |year=2000
 |isbn=84-8183-073-9
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Alonso Luengo
 |first=Luis
 |title=Los maragatos: su origen, su estirpe, sus modos
 |publisher=Lancia
 |location=León
 |year=1992
 |isbn=84-86205-75-1
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Ares Alonso
 |first=Inocencio
 |title=Gastronomía popular del país de maragatos
 |publisher=Ediciones Leonesas
 |location=León
 |year=1994
 |isbn=84-8012-071-1
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Arias Martínez
 |first1=Manuel
 |last2=Llamazares
 |first2=Fernando
 |title=Astorga y Maragatería
 |publisher=Everest
 |location=León
 |year=1990
 |isbn=84-241-4965-3
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Cabero Diéguez
 |first=Valentín
 |title=Evolución y estructura urbana de Astorga
 |publisher=Instituto "Fray Bernardino de Sahagún" y Universidad de Salamanca, Departamento de Geografía
 |location=León
 |year=1973
 |isbn=84-00-03953-X
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Cabero Domínguez
 |first=María Consolación
 |title=Astorga y su territorio en la edad media (siglos IX-XIV)
 |publisher=Universidad de Oviedo, Servicio de Publicaciones
 |location=León
 |year=1995
 |isbn=84-7719-523-4
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Cavero Domínguez
 |first=Gregoria
 |title=Las cofradías en Astorga durante la Edad Media
 |publisher=Universidad de León, Servicio de Publicaciones
 |location=León
 |year=1992
 |isbn=84-7719-299-5
}}
* {{Cite journal
 |last1=García Marcos
 |first1=Victorino
 |last2=Vidal Encinas
 |first2=Julio
 |title=Asturica Augusta: de asentamiento militar a urbs magnifica
 |publisher=Diputación Provincial
 |location=Lugo
 |journal=Los orígenes de la ciudad en el Noroeste hispánico. Actas del Congreso Internacional 15-18 de mayo de 1996
 |year=1999
 |isbn=84-8192-136-X
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Gómez Bajo
 |first=María del Carmen
 |title=La guerra de la Independencia en Astorga, 1808-1814
 |publisher=Celarayn
 |location=León
 |year=1986
 |isbn=84-85378-63-6
}}
* {{Cite book |last=Huidobro y Serna |first=Luciano |year=1950 |title=Las peregrinaciones Jacobeas |publisher=Instituto de España}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=López García
 |first=José Luis
 |title=Ayer y hoy del comercio y la industria en Astorga
 |publisher=Cámara Oficial de Comercio e Industria
 |location=Astorga
 |year=1991
 |isbn=84-606-0184-6
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Mañanes Pérez
 |first=Tomás
 |title=Astorga romana y su entorno
 |publisher=Universidad, Secretariado de Publicaciones
 |location=Valladolid
 |year=1983
 |isbn=84-86192-11-0
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Martín Fuertes
 |first=José Antonio
 |title=De la nobleza leonesa. El Marquesado de Astorga
 |publisher=Hullera Vasco-Leonesa
 |location=La Robla
 |year=1988
 |isbn=84-404-3592-4
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Quintana Prieto
 |first=Augusto
 |title=Los maragatos y su tierra
 |publisher=Hullera Vasco-Leonesa
 |location=Astorga
 |year=1978
 |isbn=84-300-0385-1
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Quintana Prieto
 |first=Augusto
 |title=Hospitales Astorganos. Beneficencia de la ciudad en la antigüedad
 |publisher=Monte Casino
 |location=Astorga
 |year=1993
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Rodríguez Díez
 |first=Matías
 |title=Historia de Astorga
 |publisher=Celarayn
 |location=León
 |year=1981
 |orig-year=1909
 |isbn=84-85378-25-3
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Roldán Hervas
 |first1=José Manuel
 |last2=Caballero Casado
 |first2=Carlos
 |title=Itienera Hispana. Estudio de las vías romanas en Hispania a partir del Itinerario de Antonino, el Anónimo de Ravena y los Vasos de Vicarello
 |publisher=El Nuevo Milenio
 |location=Madrid
 |year=2002
 |issn=1885-9534
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Rubio Pérez
 |first=Laureano Manuel
 |title=Astorga. Un enclave señorial en los siglos XVII y XVIII
 |publisher=Enrique M. Fidalgo
 |location=León
 |year=1990
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Serrano
 |first=Secundino
 |title=Enciclopedia de León
 |publisher=La Crónica de León
 |location=León
 |year=1991
 |volume=I
 |isbn=84-920557-4-X
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=Serrano
 |first=Secundino
 |title=Enciclopedia de León
 |publisher=La Crónica de León
 |location=León
 |year=1991
 |volume=II
 |isbn=84-920557-5-8
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Serrano
 |first1=Secundino
 |last2=Álvarez Oblanca
 |first2=Wenceslao
 |title=Crónica Contemporánea de León
 |publisher=La Crónica de León
 |location=León
 |year=1991
 |isbn=9788487469084
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last1=Sevillano Fuertes
 |first1=María Ángeles
 |last2=Vidal Encinas
 |first2=Julio
 |title=Urbs Magnifica. Una aproximación a la Arqueología de Asturica Augusta (Astorga, León)
 |url=https://archive.org/details/urbsmagnificauna0000unse
 |publisher=Ayuntamiento de Astorga
 |location=Astorga
 |year=2002
 |isbn=84-89716-77-3
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last=MPR I
 |first=((Ministerio de la Presidencia, Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática))
 |title=Estudio sobre la inmatriculación de bienes inmuebles de la iglesia católica en el registro de la propiedad desde el año 1998 en virtud de certificación del diocesano respectivo (I)
 |year=2021
 |pages=1613
 |url=https://ep00.epimg.net/descargables/2021/02/16/81f680e3671ec19edb395114f640972c.pdf
 |author-link=Ministry of the Presidency (Spain)
}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Astorga}}
* {{Wikisource-inline|list=
** {{CathEncy|wstitle=Diocese of Astorga|short=x|noicon=x}}
** {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Astorga|short=x|noicon=x}}
** {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Astorga|short=x|noicon=x}}
** {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Astorga|short=x|noicon=x}}
}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=krNhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA42 Fundacion nombres y armas de la ciudad de Astorga (1635)]
* [http://astorga.co/en Astorga travel guide]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090429073321/http://www.ayuntamientodeastorga.com/ Ayuntamiento de Astorga] Astorga municipal government website {{in lang|es}}
* [http://www.maragateria.com Maragateria Page]

{{Municipalities in León}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Astorga, Spain| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities in the Province of León]]
[[Category:Maragatería]]
[[Category:Astures]]
[[Category:Roman fortifications in Hispania Tarraconensis]]
[[Category:Cultural tourism in Spain]]
[[Category:Historic Jewish communities in Spain]]