The 91探花 acknowledges that the Le贸n Center is located in the tower built in the 16th century in the Palacio Conde Luna for the granddaughter of Hern谩n Cort茅s, Catalina de Qui帽ones Cort茅s y Z煤帽iga, the sixth Condesa de Luna.
The 91探花Le贸n Center at Palacio del Conde Luna acknowledges that it is housed in a tower built in the 1570s with wealth accumulated, in part, by Spanish colonizer Hern谩n Cort茅s. Under the Spanish crown in the early 16th Century, Cort茅s committed genocide and enslaved Indigenous people throughout Abya Yala/the Americas. The Center recognizes the negative responses these connections may bring up for Native people, and for students, faculty, and staff with roots in regions seized and pillaged by the Spanish Empire.
This acknowledgment strives to meet the intentions of the聽91探花鈥檚聽Diversity Blueprint, which includes among its goals the development of 鈥減lace-based education and engagement to advance access, equity, and inclusion.鈥�
For teaching resources on the Palacio and decolonized approaches to study abroad in Le贸n, please see these resources:聽聽 (UWNetID authorized access only)
Additional information about El Palacio
The 14th century Gothic palace was the seat of the original Kingdom of Le贸n before Christian Spain was politically united under Ferdinand and Isabel in 1469. The entire building was given a 25 million euro renovation in 2009, after which the City of Le贸n gave the 91探花 use of the Renaissance tower rent free to house a study center. The Le贸n Center is UW鈥檚 second center in Europe after the Rome Center.
The Le贸n Center is outfitted with high speed Wi-Fi, a wireless printer, a computer for students, and air-conditioning. In addition, the following spaces are available for use by your program or conference:
First Floor Exhibit & Conference Space
On the first floor of the Palacio del Conde Luna, you will find this beautiful exhibit space, which is shared with the City of Le贸n. This is the perfect place to hold a larger conference, event, or exhibit, and is where the inauguration ceremony for the Center took place.
Second Floor Classroom
The second floor classroom has moveable tablet armchairs, and can hold up to 50 people. It is the perfect space for larger classes, lectures, or other activities you may want to plan at the Center.
Third Floor Seminar Room
Just up the spiral staircase, you will find this third floor classroom with beautiful views of the cathedral and the city of Le贸n. The room holds up to 20 people, is outfitted with tables and chairs, and is ideal for a class or conference!
Faculty Workstations
The Center has two faculty workstations, which can be used during the business hours of the Palacio del Conde Luna. With high-speed Wi-Fi and a photocopier/printer you will be able to connect to from your own computer, the Center is an ideal place to spend the afternoon answering e-mails, researching, or writing.