town has several taxi stands, one of them in the Bus Station. Tourism Parador Parador de Turismo Fernando II, which occupies the Caracol Tower, a 16th-century castle with wide segmental miradors and a Mudéjar coffered ceiling in the main section Churches Church of Santa María de Azogue, in Romanesque style, begun in 1180. It has a Latin cross plan, with a nave and two aisles, separated by cruciform pilasters, with five apses. The nave has Gothic cross vaults added in the 16th century. The interior is home of several Gothic sculptures, such as that of the "Annunciation" (13th century) San Juan del Mercado Church, in Romanesque style (12th-13th centuries). It has three decorated portals with the Adoration of the Magi, the Virgin and Child and scenes of the birth of Jesus. Hostel Hospital of La Piedad, an old pilgrim hostel. Other Hermitage of Soledad (early 16th century) Caracol Tower Events Fiestas de la Veguilla. The local celebration in honour of the Virgen de la Vega to celebrate the torno al llamado (Monday of Pascuilla). Fiestas del toro enmaromado. Celebrated the day before the corpus, where the young men run (Running of the Bulls) in front of a long rope held on the horns of a bull. Accommodation Hotels "Parador de Turismo Rey Fernando II de León" (H****) Paseos de la Mota, s/n "Villa de Benavente" (H ****) Avda. de las Américas, s/n "Santiago" (H ***) Avda. Maragatos, 34 "Orense" (H **) C/ San Antón Viejo, 4 "Arenas" (H *) Ctra. de Madrid, Km 261 Hostels "Hostal Avenida" (HS**) Avda. El Ferial, 17 "Bristol" (HS**) C/ Santa Cruz, 44. "Universal" (HS**) C/ Sancti Spíritus, 17 "Alameda" (HS**) Autovía Madrid - Coruña km. 262 "Covadonga" (HS**) Avenida Federico Silva, 16 "Paradero 3" (HS*) Autovía Madrid – Coruña Km 261 "Paraíso" (HS *) C/ los Herreros, 64 "La Trucha" (HS) C/ la Viña, 5 "Jara" (HS) Autovía Madrid-Coruña km. 261 "Pensión La Trapería" (P) C/Agujero de San Andrés, 10 Climate It is characterized as a Mediterranean climate with continental characteristics due to the altitude of the municipality and its distance to the sea. The amount of winter frosts is increased, taking place even in spring, with consequential damage to some of the local agriculture. Twin towns – sister cities Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, México. Vila Real, Portugal. Dukes of Benavente Notable people José Carlos Guerra, painter. Maria Josefa Alfonso Pîmentel Tellez Girón Borja