Places of Interest in Castilla-León -
Valladolid

The origin of the city of Valladolid dates back to the first half of the 11th century

Valladolid is situated on a hill between the northern branch of the river Esgueva and the river Pisuerga. It is now the capital of the authonomous region of Castilla-León and the driving force for the regional economy. Today, Valladolid is a modern, pioneering city in the region, and also possesses great architectural and artistic wealth. Valladolid is also the culminating point for the Ramal del Sur of the Canal de Castilla route which ends in a scenic channel just before it flows into the river Pisuerga.

It wasn't until the end of the 11th century that King Alfonso VI awarded the Señorío (rule of the town) to Don Pedro Ansúrez from León, but the greatest era began with the Modern Age which transformed the city into the kingdom's administrative hub. It was not in vain that Carlos I declared it the capital of Spain. Historical characters have left their mark on the city; the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Kings) were betrothed here and it was where Christopher Columbus passed away. Pedro Pablo Rubens, Miguel de Cervantes and Francisco de Quevedo also passed through the city.

The best way of discovering the city is on foot. You can find many different examples of art and architecture in every style ranging from the 13th century up to the modern day. There are many churches to visit such as Santa María de la Antigua, in the heart of the city centre, with its 13th century Romanesque tower and its beautiful vaults and buttresses. The church of San Pablo contains one of the city's most well-known facades from the Gothic Hispano-Flemish period; The Iglesia de las Angustias whose frontal statue is a wooden sculpture by Juan de Juni dating from half way through the 16th century, and the Iglesia de Santiago, a 16th century Renaissance building, with three separate naves and columns supporting semi-circular and lancet arches.

In terms of civil architecture, Valladolid is home to an important collection of palaces such as the Palacio de Arenzana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Valverde and the Palacio de Fabio Nelly de Espinosa, which is today the Museo de Valladolid. It is worth mentioning the University whose Baroque lateral facade dates from the beginning of the 17th century and is the only remaining part of the old building. Nearby is the Palacio de Santa Cruz, seat of the vice-chancellor, with a Renaissance facade from the end of the 15th century.

Inside the Colegio de San Gregorio, is the Museo Nacional de Escultura, from the end of the 15th century, the only one of its kind in the world, which houses a collection of sculptures from the 13th to the 18th century. Recently opened is the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, which is located in the Patio Herreriano.

Among the city's most significant fiestas are Semana Santa, now declared an internationally acclaimed fiesta, the Fiesta de San Pedro Regalado and the Ferias & Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de San Lorenzo which are celebrated in September.

Valladolid's gastronomy is attractive to tourists mainly because it contains a wide range of foodstuffs. In the 14th century Valladolid opened itself up to the Cantabrian Sea and so fish like sea-bream and hake are found in many recipes in the restaurants of Valladolid. Lechazo (young lamb) is another of the city's most popular dishes, as are piñones (pine nuts).