Valladolid information
General information
Valladolid began to become important from the
11th century, when Count Ansúrez came to govern the city
in the name of Alfonso VI. It reached its peak during the reign
of the Catholic Monarchs (15th century), when the university became
one of the most important in the country. And, playing a leading
role in key episodes in Spanish history, Valladolid has twice
been the capital, firstly with Carlos I (16th century) and later
with Felipe III (17th century).
The capital of Castella-León preserves an important heritage
of monuments in its old quarter, especially aristocratic houses
and religious buildings. Outstanding among them is the unfinished
Cathedral. The architect Juan de Herrera was commissioned by King
Felipe II to design the original scheme in 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
great chapel houses a magnificent reredos made by Juan de Juni
in 1562.
Other interesting churches are the Gothic church of Santiago,
with an important reredos depicting the Adoration of the Magi,
created by Berruguete in 1537, and the church of Santa María la
Antigua, with its unusual pyramid-shaped Romanesque tower.
The 16th-century Plaza Mayor, presided over by a statue of Count
Ansúrez, is right in the heart of the city. On one side
of it stands the City Hall, a building crowned by the clock tower.
In the nearby streets are many large houses and palaces. The Palace
of Los Pimentel, today the seat of the Provincial Council, is
one of the most important, as King Philip II was born in it. The
16th-century Palace of the Marquises of Valverde, and that of
the banker Fabio Nelli - a building with a Classicist stamp built
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, and the Santa Cruz College, which as
well as 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, like the Casa de Cervantes, where the author of Quijote
lived with his family between 1603 and 1606. As 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 in the 17th century through
possessions and 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 various pieces
and documents related to the discovery of America.
From 19th 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 various 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 cultural
opportunities: cinemas, theatres and museums, like the National
Sculpture Museum, at its site in San Gregorio College. This splendid
Flemish Gothic style building - one of the most outstanding buildings
in the provincial capital - is important 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, one of the cloisters of the former
Monastery of San Benito, preserves more than 800 paintings and
sculptures from the 20th century.
An important event is the Seminci, the International Film Festival,
one of the events not to be missed in the Spanish cinema calendar.
Valladolid's province is revealed through different tours like
those along the Red Wine Route and the Knight's Route, which lead
to the "Alma de Castilla" and the "Tierra de Campos".
To tour this whole area you can stay in the excellent facilities
of the Parador de Turismo at Tordesillas. It is also a good place
for trying Valladolid cuisine, where the roast lamb and suckling
pig are famous. Castilian soup, cod with garlic and 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.
Oficina de Turismo: Calle Santiago, 19
47001 Valladolid (Valladolid)
Tel. +34 983344013
Source: Web server of Instituto de Turismo de España, TURESPAÑA.