Tourist information - Valladolid
Valladolid, the city on the River Pisuerga, preserves an attention-grabbing Renaissance group of buildings in its old quarter, made from houses, palaces, churches and one of its most symbolic establishments, its Cathedral.
The capital of Castella-León enjoys an intense cultural life thanks to its situation as the university city along with events like the Seminci, the International Film Week, a celebration not to be missed in the Spanish cinema calendar.
Another event that marks life in Valladolid as well as awakes the passions of its inhabitants is Easter. Its processions, declared of International Tourist Interest, are real parades of works of religious art.
Valladolid started to become essential from the 11th century, when Count Ansúrez came to govern the city around the name of Alfonso VI. It reached its peak in the reign of the Catholic Monarchs (15th C.), when the university became among the most leading around the country. As well as, as well as playing a leading role in key episodes in Spanish history, Valladolid has twice been the capital, firstly with Carlos I (16th C.) along with later when Felipe III came to the throne (17th C.).
The capital of Castella-León preserves an essential heritage of monuments in its old quarter, especially aristocratic houses as well as religious establishments. Outstanding among them is the unfinished Cathedral. The architect Juan de Herrera was commissioned by King Felipe II to design the original scheme around the 16th century. The death of both left the church unfinished and its central body was not opened until 1668. Years later, in 1730, Master Churriguera finished the work on the main front. Inside the cathedral, the wonderful chapel houses a remarkable reredos made by Juan de Juni in 1562. From the complex you can get into the Diocesan Museum, in which the outstanding characteristics are numerous carvings attributed to Gregorio Fernández as well as to Juni himself, as well as a silver monstrance by Juan de Arfe.
Other enjoyable churches are the Gothic church of Santiago, with an leading reredos depicting the Adoration of the Magi, developed by Berruguete in 1537, along with the church of Santa María la Antigua, having its unusual pyramid-shaped Romanesque tower.
The 16th-century Plaza Mayor, presided over by a statue of Count Ansúrez, is right around the heart of the city. On one side of it stands the City Hall, a building from the beginning of the century crowned by the clock tower. Within the nearby streets are a number of large houses as well as palaces. The Palace of Los Pimentel, today the seat of the Provincial Council, is one of the most leading, as King Philip II was born in it on 21 May 1527. The 16th-century Palace of the Marquises of Valverde, along with that of the banker Fabio Nelli - a building with a Classicist stamp established in 1576 - should also be pointed out. The Museum of Valladolid occupies this complex, exhibiting a collection of furniture, sculptures, paintings and ceramic pieces.
The University, whose Baroque façade is decorated with various academic symbols, as well as the Santa Cruz College, which along with housing a valuable library forms one of the first examples of the Spanish Renaissance, say much about the cultural importance of Valladolid.
The city preserves houses where great historical characters once lived, much like the Casa de Cervantes, where the author of Quijote lived with his family between 1603 and also 1606. Being a curiosity, it was in this house where the writer gave his masterpiece the finishing touches. A visit to the house-museum enables you to get to know the way of life of a noble family around the 17th century through possessions and also furniture from the time. You can also visit the Christopher Columbus House-Museum, where the navigator spend the last years of his life. Nowadays the palace exhibits different pieces and documents related to the discovery of America.
From nineteenth century Valladolid, the house where one of the provincial capital's most illustrious characters - José Zorrilla - was born is preserved. The house, which is open to the public, brings together numerous personal possessions, furniture and documents that belonged to the Romantic writer.
As a city that has experienced notable urban growth in the last few decades, Valladolid offers a wide range of leisure and also cultural opportunities: cinemas, theatres and also museums, just like the National Sculpture Museum, at its site in San Gregorio College. This splendid Flemish Gothic style building - one of the most outstanding structures at the provincial capital - is essential for its exhibition of polychrome carvings made by artists like Alonso Berruguete or Gregorio Fernández. The Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art, located in the Herreriano Courtyard, the cloisters of the former Monastery of San Benito, preserves more than 800 paintings along with sculptures from the 20th century.
Easter, declared of International Tourist Interest, is the most top festival in Valladolid. The distinguishing feature of this celebration is rooted in its processions, formed by genuine works of art and Castilian imagery. Another top event is the Seminci, the International Film Festival, the events not to be missed in the Spanish cinema calendar.
Valladolid's province is revealed through different tours like those over the Red Wine Route as well as the Knight's Route, which lead to the "Alma de Castilla" and the "Tierra de Campos". The first of these routes leads to the wine-growing country of Quintanilla de Onésimo, Vega Sicilia, Pesquera de Duero along with Peñafiel. Right here you can visit the castle and also Wine Museum together with enjoyable cellars.
The Knight's Route unfolds to the south of the provincial capital and here you can get to know the cellars of Boecillo, the Mudejar architecture of Mojados along with Olmedo along with the medieval wealth of Iscar and also Portillo. Historical towns like Simancas, where the General Archive of the Kingdom can be found; Tordesillas, of great historical and artistic importance; as well as Medina del Campo, famous for its markets, fairs along with spa, lie at the so-called “Soul of Castile”. Meanwhile, the Tierra de Campos brings you to medieval towns like Medina de Rioseco as well as exquisite examples of popular Vallodolid architecture like Villalón de los Campos or Castromonte, known for its medicinal waters.
To tour this entire area you can stay in the excellent facilities of the Parador de Turismo at Tordesillas. It also is a good place for trying Valladolid cuisine, where the roast lamb as well as suckling pig are famous. Castilian soup (created using bread, garlic as well as ham), cod with garlic and also game dishes are also famous. To accompany these recipes there is nothing better than the wines with Denomination of Origin from the province: Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Rueda and Toro.
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