Instituto Castellano y Leonés de la Lengua

Tracing the origins of Spanish

Instituto Castellano y Leonés de la Lengua (ILCYL), the Castile and León Institute for the Spanish Language, is a regional foundation promoting Spanish language and literature. Its work combines research into the language’s origins with cultural programs across the region.

Research and linguistic heritage

Research into the origins of Spanish is central to the institute’s work. Its studies include Visigothic slate tablets, the cartularies of the Burgos monasteries of Valpuesta and Cardeña, and the Silos Glosses—sources that help trace the early history of Spanish in Castile and León. At Palacio de la Isla, its headquarters, the institute houses the Center for the Origins of Spanish and a library specializing in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.

Exhibitions, awards, and public programs

The institute organizes exhibitions, open-house events, literary competitions, and book fairs. Its programs include the International Sinodal de Aguilafuente Award for research on the history of books and publishing in Spanish; the Valpuesta literary contest for young writers in Castile and León; the children’s reading contest Los pequeños gigantes de la lectura; and the Castile and León Publishers’ Fair. It also produces the cultural podcast ¿Seguimos o no? with the Simoneta project.

Visiting Palacio de la Isla

The palace has an exhibition hall and hosts free open-house days. Guided tours are offered Saturdays at noon, with reservations by phone.