Valladolid, Spain: top attractions, places to stay, good restaurants. Open left menu Valladolid Excursions from Valladolid

Defeated and wingless
Enemies of the Spanish Empire
Enemy forces scattered
But eternal radiance of glory,
which we acquired
Crowning a purple laurel.
Let the bronze tablets
Tell the world about it!

Don Pedro Calderón de la Barca "The Defense of Terheiden"
Fragment of the 3rd act of the play "The Siege of Breda"

Why go

How, aren't you interested in visiting the city that was the capital of Spain before Madrid? Not interested in seeing with your own eyes the palace in which the wedding of the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand took place? Or the palace where King Philip II was born, who is famous for being
1. moved the capital from Valladolid to Madrid,
2. built the palace-monastery of Escorial and the palace complex in Aranjuez,
3. described in the book "The Legend of Thiel Ulenspiegel", and in Schiller's play "Don Carlos",
4. The Philippines was named after him in 1543,
5. won the battle of Lepanto and sent the Invincible Armada to destruction.

Isn't it interesting to see the cathedral, which, if completed, would be no smaller than St. Peter's? The house where Cervantes finished Don Quixote? The house where Columbus died? Not at all interesting? Well then, I don’t know how else to lure you there, then sit in Madrid And it’s worth going to Valladolid. In addition, Valladolid, as a major city and transport hub, is conveniently based for attacks in the northern part of Spain. And also, since there are much fewer tourists here than in Madrid, and the shops are basically the same, shopping is better here (it seemed to me so).

How to get there

We traveled by train from the Madrid Chamartin station. Travel time 2 hours 40 minutes. The ticket costs 25.40 euros for 1 person round trip. From the station to the Old Town, about 7 minutes on foot - you can see it, you just need to cross Columbus Square with a monument to him in the center

and walk along the park (Campo Grande) along Acera de Recoletos.

The tourist office is not where it is indicated in the guidebook (Calle Santiago, 19), but on this very Acera de Recoletos - at the end, on the left, such a glass pavilion. There is one more thing - a booth on the Plaza Mayor. There are 2 more machines of yellow color and incomprehensible purpose: one is across the road from the former royal palace, the second is on the Plaza Mayor, but they did not work, so they should not be taken into account. In addition, at the stop in front of the station and at the booth next to the Plaza Mayor, there are large maps of the city with sights.

Story

It is well known that the older the city, the more copies are broken by historians about the date of its foundation and the history of the name. Valladolid was no exception. Some say that the Romans founded the city and gave it a name consisting of two words: the Latin vallis - "valley" and the Celtic tolitum - "the place where the waters meet." (Roman mosaics from the surviving villas of the Roman patricians decorated the royal palace of Valladolid until they were transferred to the archaeological museum). Others say that the Roman settlement, although it existed, did not become a real city, and the Arabs founded the real city, giving it the name "Belad Valid", which means "City of Valid" (ruler). Valladolid was one of the first cities captured from the Moors back in the 10th century, and already in the 11th century, the king of Leon (then Spain was several kingdoms) Alfonso VI instructs Count Pedro Ansures to settle the territory near the Pisuerga River, which the first lord of Valladolid does - and successfully. In the city, under him, the churches of Santa María la Antigua and Colegiata de Santa María, palaces and a hospital were built (not preserved).

In 1208 King Alfonso VIII makes Valladolid a court city. Subsequent kings also welcome him and grant trade privileges, as a result of which the city grows richer, acquires significance and grows before our eyes - at the beginning of the 14th century, the Queen Regent of Castile Maria de Molina settled here for 30 years, rebuilding the Alcazar Palace (still Arab construction). As early as 1346, Pope Clement VI granted Valladolid the right to establish a University. In 1420, the future Grand Inquisitor Torquemada was born in Valladolid, about whom centuries later they will say “He was cruel as the lord of hell, Grand Inquisitor Torquemada!” After the fire of 1461, the city was badly damaged, but in the same year it created the first fire department in Spain, formed from 30 Moors, for which they were given the right to create a kind of Moor-town on the territory of a Christian city.

On October 19, 1469, the fateful marriage of Princess Isabella of Castile and Prince Ferdinand of Aragon took place in the Vivaria Palace, which, in fact, became the unification of Spain. They say that the marriage was secret, since the king of Castile did not give him his permission (there is also information according to which the marriage was concluded not without the participation of Torquemada, who was then the confessor of the princess). The bridegroom's retinue arrived in Castile disguised as merchants. In addition, since the bride and groom were close relatives (cousins), permission from the pope was required. The necessary document was received retroactively, and historians still doubt whether it was genuine.

creepy antiresine picture
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ru/5/54/Iberiankings.jpg

After the completion of the Reconquista in 1492 (On the history of the Reconquista http://covadonga.narod.ru), the Catholic kings (as Isabella and Ferdinand began to be called) made Valladolid the capital of Spain.

During the uprising of the communeros in 1520 (in Spanish it sounds beautiful - la Guerra de las Comunidades de Castilla), the city joined (I note that not immediately) the flagship of the uprising - Toledo and the most influential cities of the country of Segovia, Salamanca, Avila and Guadalajara, and then turned into the capital of the rebellion in the north of the country. At the Battle of Villalar (April 23, 1521), the forces of Comuneros, led by Juan Padilla, were defeated, he himself and other leaders of the Junta were captured and executed.

Valladolid after that, oddly enough, the honorary title of the capital was not deprived. The city remained the capital until 1561, until it again suffered from a fire - almost the entire central part was destroyed. King Philip II (born in Valladolid, in the Pimentel Palace, in 1527) first builds a new Plaza Mayor in the city center, which became a model for all the squares of that time (including Madrid) for a good hundred years ahead, and then strikes the city Moves the capital to Madrid. For other great deeds of the king, see the section "Why go" at the beginning of the story. Valladolid again becomes a royal residence for a short period from 1601 to 1606, during this period of time Anna of Austria, the same one from the Three Musketeers, was born here.

During the infamous War of Spanish Succession, Valladolid took the side of Philip V. And then the city becomes not very noticeable and does not play a significant role in the history of Europe. I always feel a little sorry for the former capitals - there is a city in which life was once in full swing, and it is sad about its former greatness ...

Having walked along Columbus Square, past the Campo Grande park on the left, we went to Plaza Zorilla, where we saw a lush fountain (precisely lush - its jets are directed somehow unusually, voluminously) and the building of the Cavalry Academy (Academia de Caballeria),

more like a palace, with coats of arms and a dashing equestrian sculptural group at the entrance. But the installations scattered here and there attract more attention: a woman's head in a hat,

female head with enchanting hairstyle,

and across the street, a variation on Velasquez's Las Menin, five female figures in characteristic puffy skirts. The sculptural composition is called Las meninas.

Then I advise you to go straight, along calle Santiago, to the stern-looking church of the same name on the left side of the street, which, next to the shop windows (this is the central shopping street of the city), looks somewhat lonely.

Inside, take a look at the Adoration of the Magi (1537) by Berruguete.

If desired, on the next street on the right, you can visit

House of Cervantes (Museo casa de Cervantes)

In general, there is an amazing connection between Alcala de Henares and Valladolid: Cervantes was born in Alcala, lived in Valladolid for several years and published his most famous book. In Alcala, Christopher Columbus was first received by the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand, in Valladolid he died. Both in Alcala and in Valladolid, colleges were opened with the money of the Mendoza family ...

College of the Holy Cross

From the Columbus House Museum to the college, follow calle Colon, then follow calle Cardenal Mendoza. The construction of the beautiful Renaissance building began in 1486, designed by Lorenzo Vázquez de Segovia, and was completed in 1491. It is believed that this is the earliest building of the Spanish Renaissance. The college was founded and financed by Cardinal Mendoza (for the history and significance of this family in Spain, see Guadalajara). The college was the largest cultural center of the Middle Ages and had the richest library. Until now, the library collection has preserved 520 manuscripts, 355 incunabula (primary printed books) and 13 thousand various editions of the 16th-18th centuries.

The college building is believed to be the earliest Spanish Renaissance building in existence. It is noticeable that the facade is a little asymmetrical - maybe there was another doorway to the right of the entrance? Connoisseurs of architecture note, however, that the same architectural technique was used by Vasquez in the construction of the palace of the Dukes de Medinaceli (Medinaceli) in the town of Collogudo near Madrid (the dukes were one of the branches of the Mendoza clan, therefore, we can assume that Vasquez was the architect of the "family" ).

The portal above the entrance is plateresque, but much simpler than the façade of the Church of San Pablo. The courtyard of the college is surrounded by a three-story arched gallery decorated with stone carvings, but it is simpler than the carvings in the courtyard of the palace of the Dukes of Mendoza in Guadalajara. Cannonballs are stacked in the center of the courtyard, and the names of the most prominent graduates are immortalized on the walls. A staircase leads somewhere upstairs, where the walls are decorated with painted yellow and blue tiles. The college also has a nice garden.

University (Universidad)

Already in 1346, Pope Clement VI grants Valladolid the right to create a University, but it was founded and built a little later - in the XV-XVI centuries. The Plaza Universidad overlooks a stunningly beautiful baroque facade (1715), designed by Antonio Tomé and his sons Diego and Narciso (author of the famous transparent window in Toledo Cathedral).

I already wrote that the presence of a famous university in the town leaves an indelible imprint on the city itself, its architecture, buildings, and its way of life. Somehow you immediately understand: students live here. Lots of students. These are Leuven in Belgium, Oxford and Cambridge in England, Bologna and Perugia in Italy, Heidelberg in Germany, Friborg and Neuchâtel in Switzerland, Lund in Sweden, Harvard in the USA (despite the fact that it is much newer than all of the above), Salamanca and Alcala de Henares in the same Spain.

So in Valladolid, despite the presence of an ancient university, nothing like this is felt: probably, the fact that the city was the capital for a long time, and only then the city where there is a university leaves its mark. Here everything is subordinated to palaces, monasteries and temples, which belonged to noble and influential families, i.e. former grandeur, and there were few young cheerful faces on the streets ...

Cathedral

The cathedral, if you approach it not from the side of the facade, very much resembles Siena - the markings of the walls that were supposed to be built. If from the sides it is still more or less decent, then behind the remains of the once large-scale construction are overgrown with grass, moss and even low shrubs. The king, and even more so the diocese, simply did not have enough money to complete the majestic plan - like the Sienese. All the more reason to respect the strong business executives of the Florentines - they built the Duomo, and managed to fight with Pisa, Arezzo and the same Siena. From the side of the university near the cathedral there is a monument to Cervantes.

The laying of the cathedral took place, according to some historians, in 1527 by the master Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, but construction quickly stopped due to lack of funds. The construction of the temple was continued only in 1580 by order of King Philip II and the court architect, one of the architects of Escorial, Juan de Herrera, was appointed responsible. The features of Herrera's gloomy and deliberately simplified style, named "herreriano" in his honor, are embodied in Escorial and in the cathedral in all their glory.

The funds were not enough for Philip II, and the local nobleman Diego de Praves, and his descendants - the main sponsors of the construction - and the cathedral was never completed. A few decades later, the baton of construction was taken over by the master from Salamanca, Alberto Churriguera, but he was not destined to finish the cathedral. In 1841, the echoes of a terrible earthquake that destroyed Lisbon reached Valladolid, and the tower of the cathedral collapsed, but was rebuilt and crowned with a statue of Christ. The cathedral has been brought into a more or less decent appearance even today, and now the luxurious ornament of the facade, characteristic of the Churriguera brothers, contrasts with the gloomy interior, only the bright decoration of the altar by Juan de Juni (Juan de Juni, 1562) stands out against the background of strict square columns. In the balustrade are statues of Saints Ambrosio, Augustine, Gregorio and Jeronimo. Inside, you should also take a look at the design of the chapels (4 on each side of the cathedral) and the tomb of Count Ansures, dating from the 16th century. Now the cathedral houses a music archive.

Church of Santa Maria la Antigua

This Gothic (and partially Neo-Gothic) church near the cathedral attracts attention with its unusualness: it is not typical for Valladolid with its pyramidal turret, its spiers, all its “castleness”. Its history begins in the distant XII century, since then the Romanesque bell tower and portico have been preserved (the church in the Gothic style was built in the XIV century). But in the cellars of the church, the remains of Roman baths are still conserved, from the stone of which Count Ansures, the founder of the city, built the very first church of the city here in 1095. Nothing remains of that church. In narrow architectural circles, the church is widely known for its slender appearance and excellent proportions, as well as the stunning pattern of windows - they give the church a kind of fabulousness.

The building has undergone several restorations, but this does not spoil it - on the contrary, the masonry stones still breathe antiquity. The interior of the church dates from the 16th century. and executed by Juan de Juni. For several years now, the church has been undergoing restoration (the largest was carried out from 1900 to 1952), during which all the decorations were transferred to the cathedral.

Penitential Church of Our Lady of Anxiety (Iglesia Penitencial de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias)

The second church, which is visible from the cathedral, is much less openwork than Santa Maria la Antigua, and less ancient - it dates from the 16th century. It was erected at the expense of another influential city brotherhood - the Penitent Brotherhood of Anxiety - on the site of an older oratory belonging to the same brotherhood. Martín Sánchez de Aranzamendi and his wife Luisa de Rivera allocated a mind-boggling amount for the construction at that time, bequeathing them to be buried in a church in a simple tomb, and the construction began to boil. The architect Juan de Nates designed the façade, and the decorations were designed by the best court craftsmen (then the court moved again briefly to Valladolid). Juan de Juni did not stand aside either, who made the Virgin, the symbol of the church and one of his most famous works. The chapels were finished by the stonemason Francisco Pérez and the sculptors Gregorio Díez de Mata and Gregorio Fernández, the painter Manuel Petti and the gilder Santiago Montes. The only pity is that the church was closed for some reason, and from the outside it looks quite simple.

Nearby are the Calderón Theatre, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of Vera Cruz, which I described earlier, also built with funds from the brotherhood.

Church of Santissimo Salvador

According to the urban legend, it was here that the patron saint of the city, St. Pedro, was baptized in 1390 (the monument to him stands a little to the left and behind the church). The authentic brick tower stands on a much older foundation (XVII century), the asymmetrical facade, as if chopped off on one side, is dated 1550. All the most interesting, as usual, is inside: the chapels of the church are arranged in a kind of fan, in which all architectural styles are represented Castile between the end of the 15th and 18th centuries, the so-called Flemish chapel (1492) with a triptych dated 1502 and a rococo altarpiece (1756) are particularly good.

A little to the left is a church dedicated to the Mother of God (judging by the sculpture above the entrance).

From here we dived into some kind of passage that seems to take up a couple of blocks, emerging on Fuente Dorada Square.

Returning to Plaza Zorrilla, we found several interesting monuments on the large map of the city, which we had time to visit. Why did we move from the square along calle Maria de Molina past the Lope de Vega theater

towards the monastery of Santa Ana (Monasterio de Santa Ana, where there are several paintings by Goya), in the vicinity of which there are two amusing statues and one sculptural composition: either a policeman or a fireman on duty, with a hose in his hand;

Sad uncle under an umbrella and with a heavy suitcase in his hand

and three ladies called Las Sirenas.

And, returning to the station, they looked in the rapidly approaching twilight at the church of San Juan de Letrán located to the left of the station along Paseo de Filipinos with a baroque facade (1737). Behind the church is the monastery Monasterio de los Padres Filipinos (1760), to which Ventura Rodriguez himself put his talented hand ...

“The Spaniards throughout their history have keenly felt the difference from Europe as an inferiority complex. ... I was looking out of the window of the tail car, when on the way between Valladolid and Burgos a stop-station flashed by - a brick booth with a sign "Torquemada". Suppose those times are very far away, and the name of the Grand Inquisitor is hardly readable from the name of the railway station, but is it worth it to feel sorry for the rest of Spain, with its mantilla and Inezilla, that is fading into oblivion? Petr Vail "Genius of the place"

Where to eat, where to live, how to get there, the choice of individual city guides and much more.

You simply cannot ignore the city where he lived and worked, perhaps, the most famous Spaniard in the world - Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Meet Valladolid! Located in the heart of old Castile, this large city witnessed the birth and formation of the Spanish state and was the capital of the Spanish Empire before it was transferred to Madrid. Kings were born and raised here, Columbus died here, and Cervantes finished his Don Quixote.

It was in Valladolid in 1469 that the young Isabella I of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon arrived for a secret wedding, who were to initiate the unification of the Spanish lands and complete the liberation of the peninsula from the Arab conquerors. They will later make Valladolid the capital of their state. The imperial scope is still felt in the power of the ancient walls and the grace of the palaces of the city, which is rightfully proud of its past.

Sights of Valladolid

Most of the attractions of Valladolid are concentrated in the city center, delineated by the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgeva rivers. It is here that the 16th-century Valladolid Cathedral is located, one of the main unfinished buildings in Spain. As conceived by the architect, the cathedral was to become the largest in Europe, however, as often happens, finances failed. Nowadays, classical music concerts are regularly held in the cathedral, during which, by the light of candles and to the majestic sounds of the organ, you can easily feel like you are in the distant Middle Ages. There is also a museum in the cathedral, and the ruins of an old church of the 11th century adjoin one of its walls.

A building made of light limestone with a facade reminiscent of the creations of lacemakers, this is the National Sculpture Museum of Valladolid, which houses the most valuable collections of wooden and stone sculptures, carved altars, statues of saints and whole compositions on religious themes. The museum occupies three buildings, the main of which - St. Gregory's College - in itself is a pearl of architecture. The other two are the Palace of Villena, an aristocratic residence of the 16th century, and the Casa del Sol, also of the 16th century.

The House of Cervantes, where he lived from 1603 to 1606, is another of Valladolid's famous landmarks. The original furnishings have been preserved in the house-museum, and on the table in the room is a copy of the first edition of Don Quixote. If you close your eyes for a second, you can imagine how the famous writer, twisting his mustache, puts the last point under the legendary manuscript.

For those who are interested in what to see in Valladolid, the House Museum of Columbus, another famous Spaniard, is a must-see. This building partially reproduces the palace of the son of Christopher Columbus, Diego Columbus, located in the capital of the Dominican Republic. It was built on the site of an old house that belonged to the sailor's family and, unfortunately, has not been preserved.

The museum, which consists of four floors and is dedicated to the four voyages of the discoverer of America, contains Columbus's personal belongings, records, maps, instruments, as well as objects that he brought back from his voyages. The difficult life path of the famous traveler ended in Valladolid on May 20, 1506. It is believed that he died without knowing how great a discovery he made.

One of the best places for families with children in Valladolid is Campo Grande, the largest natural park in the city. The most attractive part of it is considered to be a pond with a fountain and a waterfall. Children will definitely enjoy a boat trip, and even more… royal peacocks, freely roaming all the paths of the park and willingly showing their fantastic plumage to others. In Campo Grande there are as many as three bird yards where pheasants, carrier pigeons and other birds live.

If the day is drawing to a close, and the fervor of exploration has not yet died down, welcome to the Gutierrez Passage, built in 1885 in the image and likeness of the shopping galleries in Italy and France. This is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and magical places in Valladolid, lost in the city center. It especially comes to life in the evening, when the illumination turns on, and the inhabitants of the city and tourists begin to fill the bars and pubs, which now mainly occupy the territory of the arcade.

Weather in Valladolid

Tourists wishing to explore the sights of Valladolid should remember that the summer here is quite hot and dry: in July and August, the thermometers reach 30 ºС. According to one version, even the name of the city comes from the phrase valle soleado, which means "sunny valley" in Spanish. Winter here is long and cool, and the coldest month in the city is January, when the temperature drops to an average of 4 ºС.

When to go?

A trip to Valladolid can be timed to coincide with one of the holidays that take place in the city. Perhaps one of the most fun and colorful is the carnival of Valladolid, which usually takes place in early February. At this time, performances of jugglers and tightrope walkers, dance schools, colorful processions and competitions of carnival costumes take place on the streets of the city.

Also in Valladolid, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is widely celebrated, when religious processions fill the streets of the city. This is a unique opportunity to see rare sculptures and figures that are kept in various churches, temples and monasteries of the province for most of the year. The tradition dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and the splendor with which Holy Week is celebrated in Valladolid is the reason why this holiday has been declared an international tourist event.

In the autumn of September 8, Valladolid celebrates the day of the patron saint of the city of Our Lady of San Lorenzo. According to legend, this image appeared in Valladolid in the 11th or 12th centuries, when a priest brought it to the city to save it from the Arab conquerors. The festivities last ten days, during which various fairs, theatrical performances, tastings and concerts take place in Valladolid.

Where to stay in Valladolid?

Most of the hotels in Valladolid are decorated in a classic style, reminiscent of past centuries. Among them, there are both relatively inexpensive ones like Hotel Roma or Hostal Paris, as well as more luxurious ones, like, for example, Hotel Melia Recoletos.

Set in a historic building, Hotel El Coloquio is the perfect base for exploring the center of Valladolid, as it is right next to the walls of the Cathedral and just 180 meters from Santa Maria de la Antigua, another of Valladolid's landmarks. The unique design of the hotel combines modern trends with details from centuries past, such as exposed brick walls and raw wood beams. The hotel bears the name of one of the works of Cervantes, which he wrote while in Valladolid.

City square of Valladolid, Spain (Photo © santiago lopez-pastor / www.flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)

Valladolid is located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and is interesting for its cultural and historical monuments, numerous museums and a great past. Many Spanish kings were born and raised here, Christopher Columbus died and the most famous Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who graduated from Don Quixote in Valladolid, lived.

Top attractions in Valladolid

Most of the interesting historical sites are located in the city center, near the confluence of the two main rivers - Esgeva and Pisuerga.

What to do in the cityValladolid?

RestaurantsValladolid: the best place to taste Castilian delicacies

The gastronomic tastes of Valladolid are mainly associated with Castilian cuisine. A privileged place is occupied by meat dishes. The most typical meal is roast lamb seasoned with water and salt and cooked in a wood-fired oven. It is followed by dishes of piglet, partridge, rabbit and quail, which are stewed or marinated. The cheese produced in the city is made from sheep's milk and has a strong flavor. Castilian bread is very popular.

1. El Caballo de Troya. A tavern with a nice courtyard serving regional cuisine. The tourist is obliged to try the appetizer "ration" and assorted tasting dishes, as well as drink a glass of Spanish wine. Average check: 35 euros.
2. Vinotinto. The restaurant specializes in meat dishes and is very popular with the locals. Jamon Iberico is especially appreciated, which is very thinly cut and literally melts in your mouth. Average check: 27 euros.
3. La Parilla de San Lorenzo. Located in the building of a former monastery, it specializes in Castilian cuisine - stews, steaks, bean garnishes. Average check: 30 euros.

Plaza of Valladolid, Spain (Photo from above © santiago lopez-pastor / www.flickr.com / CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Valladolid is one of the most ancient and breathtaking places in Spain. A long time ago this city was the capital of the country, and even today you can find the remains of mighty fortresses and towers. Today, however, Valladolid has become a rather serious industrial city, and you will be charmed not only by the historical part, but also by modern architecture. If you want to spend an unforgettable weekend in one of the most interesting places of the Iberian Peninsula, feel free to go to a tour operator with a clear requirement: Valladolid (Spain). You will hear only positive reviews about this city, and if you dare to go there on vacation, make sure of this pleasant fact. So what to see in Valladolid? Read more about this.

Valladolid - a tourist center?

On the other hand, you may be confused by the fact that very few people actually know about Valladolid. This city does not have such a well-known reputation as a tourist center like Madrid or Barcelona, ​​it is rarely mentioned in the news. For example, recently the Spanish Cup "Valladolid" - "Tenerife", that is, one of the matches of the country's football cup, where a game between a local team and representatives of our ancient residence of kings took place on one of the Canary Islands, has attracted attention to it. Valladolidtsy, by the way, lost.

In addition, you can learn a lot about the city if you are interested in the history of the sunny Iberian Peninsula. So, it was here that the residence of the kings of Castile was located, the heart for four centuries from the thirteenth century to the seventeenth. Accordingly, the remnants of a great culture and history simply fill the streets of Valladolid, leaving no inquisitive tourist in the world indifferent. Even despite the absence of a halo of tourist Mecca, this place attracts the attention of many travelers. If you don't know where to go, then this place will be a very good choice, and you will be able to brag to your friends for a long time that you have been to this city.

Where to stay?

So vacation. You have arrived at the final destination of the ticket indicating: Valladolid (Spain). The sights of the city will, however, not be your first point of travel, you should first settle in one of the many hotels. The latter, by the way, suit every taste and budget: from expensive five-star establishments that repeat the atmosphere of the charming Spanish Middle Ages to small and cozy rooms where anyone who does not have such large finances can settle.

Valladolid (Spain): description

When you figured out where to stay, you should proceed directly to the study of the city. For lovers of a more measured tourist holiday, there is a whole series of excursions during which you will be told and shown everything about the sights of Valladolid, but you have to pay for this. Often this makes budget tourists refuse excursions, so we will try to help you explore the city by telling you basic information about it. In addition, independent discoveries are always much more pleasant and better remembered than what some guide will tell you.

City center

The center of Valladolid is located along Santiago Street, walking along it will lead you to Mayor Square. Here is located most of the administrative and citywide buildings - the city hall, opposite it is the Val market. The square itself is surrounded by many buildings with beautiful arches, and it is this place that can be called the starting point for any tourist. Often the first day of the trip is completely spent on considering the architecture of the city center, buying souvenirs and visiting the malls. Nearby, right at your fingertips, there are cozy cafes where you can take a break from the bustle of the city for some time.

and palaces

If you have dealt with the city center, you can move on. One of the main and most important sights of Valladolid can be considered the Cathedral. This cultural and religious value began to be built in 1582, more than four hundred years ago, and has not been fully completed to this day. Entering this huge building, you can walk inside several exhibition halls of the city museum, located right in the cathedral, see, for example, many valuable relics, which include a large stone altar. It has not only religious value, but also cultural - made in the Baroque style, this altar attracts the attention of many professional art historians, not to mention tourists. Near the cathedral is the church of Santa Maria la Antigua, as well as the old Pimentel Palace, the former residence of the kings, and today the government is located there.

National Sculpture Museum

The imagination of tens of thousands of tourists cannot but capture the pinnacle of architectural creativity - the National Museum of Sculpture. The building itself is already a masterpiece: unimaginable frescoes, many hand-decorated walls and ceilings - together with the high severity of the walls, more reminiscent of a fortress than a museum building. Inside, there are no less impressive collections of wooden sculptures, as well as frequently changing exhibitions, which will be interesting to see for any visitor to Valladolid.

Universities and schools

Another notable building worth seeing is the Universidad. Valladolid (Spain), whose photos of sights are presented in the article, is also famous for such monuments as the National Museum of Sculpture and the Cathedral, so do not miss the opportunity to see everything with your own eyes. A guide also leads tourists along the same route, telling in detail about all the sights. So, Universidad, as you can understand, even without knowing Spanish at all, is an old building of the university. It was opened more than five hundred years ago, and like any ancient monumental building, it attracts the attention of travelers. The facade of the building is decorated with symbols of sciences, thus giving it an unusual medieval poetry. Directly opposite the university is the school of Santa Cruz, like all the old buildings in the city - decorated with unique stone carvings.

Heritage of Castile

It is in Valladolid that a tourist can feel the depth and originality of the culture of Castile, the medieval severity of fortresses and Catholic cathedrals, see unique and exciting stone patterns on most ancient buildings that excite the imagination of any traveler. The Valladolids themselves are very sensitive to their cultural heritage, keeping some corners of the city since the early Middle Ages. Small, narrow streets seem to take us to the captivating baroque buildings for people who are accustomed to the gray landscapes of panel quarters, they will generally become some kind of revelation from above. Excursions in the city are carried out mainly along the same route as the order with which we described the sights of the city. And besides this, there is something to see here, the historical center of the city is literally dotted with large medieval mansions. There are dozens of magnificent churches and huge castles here.

The city of Valladolid is known primarily for the fact that the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra lived and worked here and it was here that he finished his Don Quixote. In this city in 1469, the young Isabella I of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon were married, who soon declared Valladolid the capital of the Spanish state. Kings were born and raised in Valladolid, Christopher Columbus died here, and here Spain was finally liberated from the Arab conquerors.

Valladolid carefully preserves everything related to its history: the city really has something to be proud of. The historical center has an imperial past, but outside it is a developing university and industrial city. It is known for its jewelry factories and wineries - it is here that Castilian wines, popular all over the world, are produced.

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How to get to Valladolid

The best way to get to Valladolid is from Madrid, the distance between cities is about 190 km along the highway. There are also convenient transport links with Salamanca and Bilbao.

By train

Trains from Madrid run every half an hour from Chamartin station, the first departure at 6:33, the last at 22:14. The journey will take from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the composition, a ticket for a regular train costs from 24.10 EUR one way, for a high-speed one - from 37.30 EUR. Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Trains from Bilbao run twice a day at 9:20 and 17:00 (about 4 hours on the way, tickets - from 9.50 EUR). From Salamanca to Valladolid can be reached in 1.5 hours and 10.45 EUR one way.

By bus

Buses from Madrid to Valladolid leave every 15-45 minutes (sometimes the interval can be extended up to an hour), travel time is 2.5-3 hours, fare is from 8.50 EUR one way. The bus from Bilbao takes about 4 hours, the fare will cost from 9 EUR one way, and from Salamanca to Valladolid can be reached in 1.5 hours and 6 EUR.

Find flights to Madrid (nearest airport to Valladolid)

Weather in Valladolid

• Today
• Tomorrow

25 °C during the day+10 °C at night

partly cloudy

28 °C in the afternoon+13 °С at night

26 °C in the afternoon+17 °C at night

The climate in Valladolid is semi-arid Mediterranean, the Spaniards themselves call it "six months of winter and six months of hell." Summer here is hot and dry: in July and August the air temperature in the shade is about +30…+32 ºС.

According to one version, the name of the city comes from valle soleado - "sunny valley".

But the winter is long, cool and rainy. The coldest month is January, the air temperature drops to +4 ... +5 ºС, sometimes there are frosts, fogs are not uncommon. It is also often rainy in spring and autumn, but the weather is almost always calm, as the city is surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Valladolid Hotels

Most of the hotels are located in the historical center of the city. Many of them occupy old buildings, and this has both pluses and minuses. Of the pluses - it's beautiful and very colorful, of the minuses - small rooms and the lack of an elevator in many buildings.

One of the most convenient areas for living is Calle Acera de Recoletos from Columbus Square (Plaza Colon) to Plaza Zorilla. From here you can walk to the main city attractions and the railway station. Valladolid's main shopping street starts from Sorilla Square, and Campo Grande Park is nearby. The street is quiet and there are few cars on it.

Breakfasts in Valladolid hotels are quite expensive - on average from 9-15 EUR, in any cafe it will be cheaper. It makes sense to order them only if you arrive on holidays, when all cafes will be closed in the morning.

There are also many nice hotels around the central square of Valladolid, Plaza Mayor (Plaza Mayor). Tourists also love this area: all the sights and an abundance of bars and restaurants are within walking distance. Previously, heretics were burned on Plaza Mayor, so each room overlooking this square has a balcony - the owners rented them out as seats in the auditorium.

Most of all in Valladolid there are 2-4* hotels. "Four" will cost about 60-120 EUR per day for a double room, and 2-3 * can be easily found for 40-50 EUR.

One of the best hotels in Valladolid is Hotel & Spa Arzuaga 5*. It is located among the vineyards of the Ribera del Duero, half an hour from the city. It has its own wine spa offering wine-based treatments, as well as its own winery and its own signature wine. Accommodation - from 130 EUR per night for a double room.

Shopping in Valladolid

The central shopping street of Valladolid is Calle Santiago, shops and shopping centers are concentrated here, but mostly expensive ones. For example, prices for jackets in the Yaker store start at 150 EUR, for jackets - from 200 EUR.

More budget shopping on Calle Angustias, for example, in the Moda S SARA store you can buy a good coat for 50 EUR. For high-quality and inexpensive Spanish-made genuine leather shoes, you should go to Naike Outlet (not to be confused with Nike sports brand). Women's Wonders shoes there cost about 50-60 EUR, and Clark's sandals - 30-35 EUR.

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Cuisine and restaurants

Specialties

The local cuisine is famous for meat and legume dishes. One of the specialties in many restaurants is simmered milk lamb (lechazo asado) and suckling pig (cochinillo asado) garnished with fresh asparagus or lentils.

If lamb or piglet is more of a dish for a special occasion, then blood sausages (chorizo) of various types are always present in the everyday menu, they even cook tortilla with them - an omelette with potatoes.

Meat in Valladolid is usually cooked in the oven or on the grill: traditional local restaurants prefer to ignore modern kitchen appliances.

Fish dishes are also present in the national menu. Most of all, they love trout, which is served fried with jamon and spices (truchas con jamon). Vegetarians and not only should try the local branded pea cream soup (sopa de guisantes), which is served here with fresh herbs and croutons. Valladolid is also famous for its pastries. Baking traditions are highly respected in this city, many recipes have not changed since the 9th century, and bakeries are a very popular family business, some of which are over a hundred years old.

Drinks and snacks

Ribera del Duero, where Valladolid is located, produces excellent red wines - some sommeliers call them the best in Spain. Tempranillo grapes ripen better in these parts, and it is from it that the famous dry red wine is produced. Unlike the wines of Rioja, Ribera del Duero produces a richer and more "strong" wine. In the small settlement of Rueda near Valladolid, white Verdejo is produced, which glorified this small village throughout the country.

Cheese goes with wine. Farms in Valladolid are famous for their homemade goat cheese, and it is in this region that the famous Spanish brands Canal, Quevedo, Boffard, Entrepinares, Flor de Esgueva and Muniz are made.

Where to eat

Of the restaurants of local cuisine, El Consejero del Rey is worth noting, where you can try national Castilian dishes. Seafood is well prepared at the Caroba restaurant, which also serves interesting fruit desserts. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the historical confectionery Cubero Confeterias Pastelerias: there is a huge selection of sweets and pastries according to branded recipes, and locals and tourists are especially fond of truffles and almond dragees. On the eve of major holidays, it is especially interesting here.

The best photos of Valladolid

Attractions and attractions in Valladolid

There are many industrial productions in Valladolid, but the historical part of the city is carefully preserved in its original form.

The heart of the Old Town is Plaza Mayor, the architectural ensemble of which was formed in the 16th century. One of the most significant buildings on the square is the building of the city municipality, which is open for free inspection at certain hours.

Another notable architectural ensemble appeared in the city in the 19th century - this is one of the main streets of Valladolid, Calle Acera de Recoletos. On it you can see a whole complex of buildings with well-preserved ancient facades.

The unfinished cathedral is also located in the Old Town - one of the main unfinished buildings in Spain. It began to be erected in the 16th century, then construction was suspended due to financial problems, and only in 1730 the work on the front of the building was completed. Despite the fact that the cathedral is unfinished, today it hosts organ music concerts and houses a museum.

The palaces of the 15th-17th centuries are very interesting: the Royal Palace, where King Philip IV was born, Los Pimentel, where King Philip II was born, and today the provincial government sits, Marques-Valverde and Fabio-Nelli. The Fabio Nelli Palace today houses the Museum of Valladolid with collections of paintings and sculptures from the 14th-16th centuries, furniture from the 17th centuries, ceramics and tapestries, and archaeological finds.

Valladolid

One of the most famous sights of Valladolid is the house of Cervantes, where he lived from 1603 to 1606. The original furnishings are preserved in the house-museum, and a copy of the first edition of Don Quixote lies on the table in the room.

Another famous Spaniard, Christopher Columbus, lived in Valladolid, and there is also his house-museum in the city. The original building has not been preserved, but the new house built on the same site accurately reproduces it. The four-story house-museum houses the navigator's personal belongings, documents, maps and trophies that he brought from his travels.

Of the religious architectural monuments, the 13th century church of Santa Maria la Antigua, built in the Romanesque style, as well as the churches of St. Benedict, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Michael and the monastery of St. Anna, which owns famous paintings by the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya, are of interest.

3 things to do in Valladolid:

1. Visit the museum of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus.
2. Eat your fill of high-calorie, but extremely tasty dishes of Castilian cuisine.
3. See paintings by Goya in the monastery of St. Anne.

The city has a large park Campo Grande (Campo Grande), where you can admire the fountain and waterfall and ride boats (rental works). There are also three bird yards where royal peacocks, pheasants, carrier pigeons and other birds live.

The best bars and pubs of Valladolid are concentrated in the Gutierrez Passage, built in 1885 in the image and likeness of the shopping galleries in Italy and France. The place is very beautiful, especially in the evenings when the lights are turned on, and this is one of the most popular places for an evening glass of beer or wine among the locals.

Events

It is worth coming to Valladolid in early February, when the carnival takes place here, jugglers, tightrope walkers and other artists perform. During Easter and Holy Week, it is also interesting here: sermons on the central square of the city, solemn processions, horse march through the main streets - all this is very beautiful and unusual. However, it should be noted that this is a purely religious event that requires a very tactful attitude, especially since the Catholic traditions in Valladolid are very strong.