Valladolid Capital City

Travelling into Valladolid Capital from the south gives no idea as to the beauty and charm of the city that lies in the centre. Neither does it do justice to the history and tradition that lies hidden from view behind modern structures.

However, once you’ve got beyond the business parks that lie like baby fat around a promising youth, Valladolid begins to reveal its secrets.

As in most capital cities of Spain, the car is slowly being relegated to the periphery of both life and the consciousness of historical centres. Breathing a sign of relief, buildings and commerce have been given a new lease of life.

The former, having survived centuries under the black coat of industrialization, have been cleaned and now gleam in the summer sunshine and it’s easy to appreciate both the art and the majesty of the medieval masters of stone.

The latter has been thoughtfully incorporated into the bones of the city and provides both visitor and resident with a wide range of choice in shops that are well laid out and attractively designed.

In short, Valladolid provides a pleasant ambience in which to live or just pass the time. And it’s then that the beauty of the city is best appreciated and the history that has marked its evolution can be studied at leisure.

As Valladolid has such a rich history the city authorities have established a series of walks or ‘routes’ through the ancient streets. These walks enable the visitor to get to know something of the personalities that have played a part in the geopolitical and historical landscape of our planet. Buildings of interest are thoughtfully marked with a subsidised (cheap) telephone number which, when called, direct you to a service that explains the building in front of which you are standing; this in several languages.

Places worth a Visit

In terms of those touched by fame, perhaps one of the most well-known people to have passed through here was Christopher Columbus, to all intents and purposes discoverer of the Americas and the man who marked the beginning of Spain as a global power. His memory is vividly evoked in a museum (Museum House) that was built in 1965 in the image of the palace of the Viceroy that Diego Columbus built as his family residence in Santo Domingo. Columbus died in Valladolid on 28th May, 1506.

Of special interest in Valladolid are the Cathedral and the Collegiate Church ruins. The cathedral was built of the remains of the old Collegiate Church (13th century) and dates from the 17th century but, even today, remains unfinished. Behind the cathedral is the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua.

Located next to the cathedral, facing onto the Plaza de la Universidad is the University, now used as the faculty of law. The old building was built in the second half of the 15th century

Gastronomy of Valladolid

The local cuisine offers a huge range of options from roast dishes to stews and, accompanied by the delicious ‘lechuguino’ bread is almost guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding palate. Amongst the most delicious of these dishes are roast quail, partridge in marinade and port trotters in batter. The most outstanding dish, however, is to famous suckling lamb or lechazo.

All this rich food can be washed down by excellent wines from Ribera de Duero.

Fiestas of Valladolid

Semana Santa de Valladolid. This festival has been declared to be of International Interest to Tourism and involve many of the churches in the city parading their particular saints through the streets in acts of solemn yet highly colourful religious adoration.

Fiestas of San Pedro Regalado. These fiestas celebrate San Pedro de Regalado who is the patron saint of Valladolid. They are celebrated from the 10th to the 13th May.

Fiestas de la Virgen de San Lorenzo. The principal fiesta of Valladolid is held between the 31st August and 9th September. There are celebrations of all kinds as well as many enactments and street shows that provide endless fascination for all participants.

More information: http://info.valladolid.es/