Valladolid is old and one of the most beautiful cities Spain. It was the ancient capital of the Spanish state before it was moved to Madrid. In this city, Christopher Columbus died and the famous Cervantes worked. Here monarchs were born, and their upbringing took place. Today Valladolid, with its deepest historical significance became great for Spain industrial center and the capital of the province of the same name, located in northwestern Spain. It never ceases to amaze its guests with its magnificent ancient architecture and hospitality atmosphere.
History of the city of Valladolid
There is no consensus among historians about who (the Romans or the Arabs) founded the city. The first mentions of Valladolid date back to the 11th century. At this time, King Leon VI instructed Count Ansures to develop and populate the area near the Pisuegra River. In the 13th century, a royal residence appears here. In 1461, there was a major fire in Valladolid, but the city was quickly rebuilt. Eight years later, in Valladolid, the ceremony of the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon with Isabella of Castile was secretly held. This event marked the beginning of the era of Spanish unification. In 1492 Valladolid became the capital of Spain. In 1561, a century after a major fire, the city burst into flames again. After this event, the capital was moved to Madrid, and the city began to gradually decline. The historical sights of Valladolid were badly damaged during the occupation of Spain by Napoleon's troops. But, despite all the twists and turns of its difficult fate, at present, Valladolid is both a large industrial center and an attractive city for tourists.
Valladolid on the world map
Attractions in Valladolid
Cathedral Valladolid The main attractions of the city are located in the historic center at the confluence of the Pisuegra and Esgeva rivers. In this area of the city is the main unfinished Spain - the Cathedral of Valladolid. Its construction began in the 16th century, but only in 1730 did the builders finish work on the facade of the cathedral. Today it houses a museum and hosts classical music concerts.
Church of Santa Maria La Antigua Not far from the cathedral is the church of Santa Maria La Antigua. Built in the 13th century, the Romanesque building attracts crowds of tourists. It will also be interesting to visit the Monastery of St. Anne, which displays paintings by the famous Goya.
Valladolid Plaza Mayor The Valladolid Plaza Mayor has become the heart of the historic district. All buildings on it delight the eye with the beauty of various architectural styles. And one of the most significant buildings - the city municipality - can even be visited at certain hours.
In the palace of Los Pomintel, the future Spanish king Philip II was born. The building with a beautiful appearance is of great historical importance for Spain.
House-Museum of Cervantes One of the most famous landmarks in Valladolid is the Cervantes House Museum. Here he lived for 3 years. It contains the first copy of the first edition of the novel about Don Quixote.
House-Museum of Christopher Columbus A visit to the 4-storey house-museum of Christopher Columbus will also be interesting. The museum contains the personal belongings of the discoverer of America, his notes, maps and objects that were with him on his travels.
Population of Valladolid
Today, Valladolid is home to a little over 300,000 people, which is not so many inhabitants in comparison with the times of its former power.
One of the most famous natives of Valladolid was Torquemada, the man who founded the order of the Spanish Inquisition.
Climate and ecology
Valladolid is surrounded by mountains on all sides. They protect it from rain and wind. But tourists should remember that winters are long and cold here, and summers are hot and dry. average temperature in the summer months it is about 30 0 C.
An industrial city cannot boast of an excellent ecological situation, but working industrial enterprises are unlikely to spoil the rest.
Summary
Valladolid is a great choice for history buffs and relaxation in the atmosphere of a great city on the European continent. A pleasant addition to the rest here will be the opportunity to visit interesting excursions and entertainment that can brighten up the leisure of any tourist.
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. In Valladolid, kings were born and raised, 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. In the historic center, you can feel the atmosphere of the imperial past, but outside of it it is a developing university and industrial city. It is famous 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 the cities is about 190 km along the highway. Also convenient transport connection there is with Salamanca and Bilbao.
By train
Trains from Madrid run every half hour from Chamartín Station, with the first at 6:33 and the last at 22:14. The journey will take from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the train, a regular train ticket costs from EUR 24.10 one way, and a high-speed train ticket costs from EUR 37.30. 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 start at EUR 9.50). From Salamanca to Valladolid can be reached in 1.5 hours and EUR 10.45 one way.
By bus
Buses from Madrid to Valladolid leave every 15-45 minutes (sometimes the interval can be increased to an hour), travel time - 2.5-3 hours, fare - 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.
Search for flights to Madrid (closest airport to Valladolid)
Weather in Valladolid
- Today
- Tomorrow
25 ° С during the day+10 ° С at night
Partly cloudy
28 ° C during the day+13 ° С at night
26 ° C during the day+17 ° С 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 is hot and dry here: in July and August, the air temperature in the shade is about + 30… + 32 ºС.
According to one of the versions, the name of the city comes from valle soleado - "sun 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. Spring and autumn are also often rainy, but the weather is almost always calm, since the city is surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Valladolid Accommodation
Most of the hotels are located in the historic city center. Many of them occupy old buildings, and there are both pros and cons to this. From the pros - it is beautiful and very colorful, from the minuses - the rooms are small in size and the lack of an elevator in many buildings.
One of the most convenient areas to stay is Calle Acera de Recoletos from Plaza Colon to Plaza Zorilla. From here you can walk to the main city attractions and railway station... Valladolid's main shopping street starts from Piazza Sorilla, and the 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), this area is also loved by tourists: all the sights and an abundance of bars and restaurants are within walking distance. Previously, heretics were burned at 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 night for a double room, and 2-3 * can be easily found for 40-50 EUR.
One of best hotels Valladolid is considered the Hotel & Spa Arzuaga 5 *. It is located among the vineyards of the Ribera del Duero, half an hour's drive from the city. It has its own wine spa offering wine-based treatments, as well as its own winery and its own specialty wine. Accommodation - from 130 EUR per night for a double room.
Shopping in Valladolid
The central shopping street of Valladolid is Calle Santiago, where shops and shopping centers but mostly expensive. For example, prices for jackets in the Yaker store start at 150 EUR, for jackets - from 200 EUR.
More budgetary 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, go to Naike Outlet (not to be confused with the sports brand Nike). Wonders women's shoes there cost about 50-60 EUR, and Clark's sandals - 30-35 EUR.
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Cuisine and restaurants
Signature dishes
The local cuisine is famous for its meat and legumes. 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 pig is more of a special occasion dish, then blood sausages (chorizo) are always present on the daily menu. different types, they even cook a tortilla with them - an omelet with potatoes.
Meat in Valladolid is usually cooked in the oven or on the grill: traditional local restaurants prefer to ignore modern kitchen technology.
Fish dishes are also on the national menu. Most of all here they like trout, which is served fried with ham and spices (truchas con jamon). Vegetarians and others should try the local specialty creamy pea soup (sopa de guisantes), which is served here with fresh herbs and croutons. Valladolid is also famous for its pastries. Bakery 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 more than a hundred years old.
Drinks and snacks
The Ribera del Duero, where Valladolid is located, produces excellent red wines - some sommeliers call them the best in Spain. In these parts, tempranillo grapes ripen better, and it is from it that the famous red dry is produced here. Unlike Rioja wines, the Ribera del Duero wine turns out to be richer and more "strong". In the small village of Rueda near Valladolid, the white Verdejo is produced, which made this small village famous throughout the country.
Wine relies on cheese. The farms of Valladolid are famous for their homemade goat cheese, in addition, it is in this region that the cheeses of the famous Spanish brands Canal, Quevedo, Boffard, Entrepinares, Flor de Esgueva and Muniz are made.
Where to eat
Among the local restaurants, El Consejero del Rey is worth noting, where you can taste national Castilian dishes. The seafood is well prepared at the Caroba restaurant, which also serves interesting fruit desserts. Sweet lovers will appreciate the historic pastry shop Cubero Confeterias Pastelerias: there is a huge selection of sweets and pastries according to signature recipes, and especially local residents and tourists fell in love with truffles and almond dragees. On the eve of big holidays, it is especially interesting here.
The best pictures of Valladolid
Entertainment and attractions in Valladolid
Valladolid has many industrial production, but the historical part of the city is carefully preserved in its original form.
The heart of the Old Town is the Plaza Mayor, architectural ensemble which was formed in the 16th century. One of the most significant buildings on the square is the city hall, which is open for free inspection at certain hours.
Another remarkable architectural ensemble appeared in the city in the 19th century - this is one of the main streets of Valladolid, Acera de Recoletos (Calle Acera de Recoletos). On it you can see a whole complex of buildings with well-preserved old facades.
An unfinished cathedral is also located in the Old Town - one of the main unfinished construction projects in Spain. It began to be erected in the 16th century, then construction was suspended due to financial problems, and only in 1730 was work only on the front part of the building completed. Despite the fact that the cathedral is unfinished, it hosts concerts today organ music and the museum works.
The palaces of the 15-17 centuries are very interesting: Royal Palace birthplace of King Philip IV, Los Pimentel, birthplace of King Philip II, and today the provincial government, Marquez Valverde and Fabio Nelli. The Fabio Nelli Palace today houses the Valladolid Museum 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 landmarks of Valladolid is the house of Cervantes, where he lived from 1603 to 1606. The original furnishings are preserved in the house-museum, and on the table in the room is a copy of the first edition of Don Quixote.
Another famous Spaniard, Christopher Columbus, lived in Valladolid, and there is also his house-museum in the city. The original building has not survived, but a new house built on the same site accurately reproduces it. The four-story house-museum contains the navigator's personal belongings, documents, maps and trophies that he brought from his travels.
Among the religious monuments of interest are 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. Anne, which owns the famous paintings of the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya.
3 things to do in Valladolid:
- Visit the museum of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus.
- Eat to the fullest with high-calorie, but extremely tasty Castilian dishes.
- See the paintings by Goya in the Monastery of St. Anne.
The city has a large Campo Grande park, where you can admire the fountain and waterfall and go boating (rental is available). There are also three bird yards here, where royal peacocks, pheasants, carrier pigeons and other birds live.
The best bars and pubs in Valladolid are concentrated in the Passage Gutierrez, built in 1885 in the image and likeness of the shopping galleries of Italy and France. The place is very beautiful, especially in the evenings when the illumination is on, and it is one of the most popular places for an evening glass of beer or wine among the locals.
Developments
It is worth coming to Valladolid in early February, when the carnival takes place here, jugglers, equilibrists 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 along the central 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.
Valladolid is one of the most ancient and fascinating places in Spain. Long 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 turned into a rather serious industrial city, and in it you will be enchanted not only by historical part but also modern architecture. If you want to spend an unforgettable weekend in one of the most interesting places Iberian Peninsula, feel free to go to the 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 on for more details.
Is Valladolid a tourist destination?
On the other hand, you may be confused by the fact that few people actually know about Valladolid. This city does not have such a well-known reputation tourist center like Madrid or Barcelona, he is rarely mentioned in the news. For example, recently the Spanish Cup "Valladolid" - "Tenerife", that is, one of the matches of the national cup in football, where one of the Canary Islands and there was a game between the local team and the representatives of our ancient residence of the kings. Valladolid, 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, not leaving indifferent more than one inquisitive tourist in the world. Even in spite of the absence of the aura of a tourist Mecca, this place attracts the attention of many travelers. If you do not know where to go, then this place will be 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 destination of your ticket with the indication: Valladolid (Spain). The sights of the city will, however, not be your first point of travel, first you should settle in one of the many hotels. The latter, by the way, are for every taste and wallet thickness: from expensive five-star establishments that repeat the atmosphere of the enchanting Spanish Middle Ages, to small and cozy rooms where anyone who does not have such big finances can settle.
Valladolid (Spain): description
When you figured out where to stay, you should start directly exploring the city. For lovers of a more measured tourist vacation, 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 it. This often makes budget-conscious tourists abandon excursions, so we will try to help you explore the city by providing 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 Calle Santiago, walking along it will also lead you to Plaza Mayor. Most of the administrative and city-wide buildings are located here - the city hall, opposite it is the Val market. The square itself is surrounded by many buildings with beautiful arches, and this is the place that can be called the starting point for any tourist. Often, the first day of a trip is completely devoted to examining the architecture of the city center, buying souvenirs and exploring the shopping arcades. Nearby, right at your fingertips, there are cozy cafes where you can take a break from the bustle of the city for a while.
and palaces
If you figured out 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 back 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 the 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 critics, 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 - National Museum sculptures. The building itself is already a masterpiece: unimaginable frescoes, many hand-decorated walls and ceilings - together with the high austerity of the walls, more reminiscent of a fortress, rather 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), photos of the attractions of which 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. Tourists and a guide lead 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 university building. It was opened more than five hundred years ago, and like any old monumental building, it attracts the attention of travelers. The facade of the building is decorated with symbols of science, thus giving it an extraordinary medieval poetry. Directly opposite the university is the Santa Cruz school, like all the old buildings in the city - decorated with unique stone carvings.
Castile heritage
It is in Valladolid that a tourist can feel all the depth and uniqueness of the culture of Castile, the medieval severity of fortresses and Catholic cathedrals, see the unique and exciting stone patterns on most ancient buildings that excite the imagination of any traveler. The Valladolidans themselves are very sensitive to their cultural heritage, preserving some of the city's corners from the early Middle Ages. Small, narrow streets seem to take us to and breathtaking Baroque buildings for people accustomed to the gray landscapes of panel quarters, 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 that, there is something to see here, historical Center the city is literally dotted with large medieval mansions. There are dozens of magnificent churches and huge castles here.
