Summary
Valladolid is an academic city located in Castile and León in western Spain. It is notably associated with the influential author José Zorrilla, who was born here in 1817, commemorated by a significant monument situated in front of Campo Grande, the city’s park.
During the early 17th century, Valladolid also served as the residence of the Castilian court, boasting a magnificent collection of palaces and churches that date from the medieval period to the 1700s, highlighting the city’s cultural and political prominence.
In the 19th century, Valladolid emerged as an industrial hub, endowing it with remarkable “historicist” architecture and an opulent shopping arcade catering to its affluent citizens.
This article explores the top attractions in Valladolid:
1. National Sculpture Museum
This institution boasts an impressive collection of sculptures and artwork spanning from the late Middle Ages to the 1800s, while the museum’s structure, known as the Colegio de San Gregorio—established as a theological school for Dominican monks in the late 1500s—is also a masterpiece.
Pause for a moment beneath the façade to admire the intricate carvings of the tympanum above the entrance.
Inside, visitors will encounter Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque sculptures and paintings, primarily commissioned for altarpieces at convents that were closed by decree in the 1800s.
During Easter, over 100 of these artworks are loaned to the city’s Catholic brotherhoods to be displayed as “pasos”—floats during Holy Week.
2. Palacio de Santa Cruz
This free venue, part of the university, is cherished for both its stunning architecture and its internal exhibits.
Constructed in the 15th century, this palace serves as the rectory of the University of Valladolid and is notable for being the first building in Spain designed in the Renaissance style.
The highlight is the interior courtyard, which spans three stories and features exquisitely detailed traceries along the first-floor balustrade.
The palace houses the Fundación Jiménez-Arellano Alonso, a museum dedicated to African art.
Be sure to take a moment to appreciate the two lifelike 13th-century head sculptures from Ife, a civilization that flourished in present-day Nigeria.
3. Iglesia de San Pablo
The intricately carved façade of this church captivates most visitors, showcasing remarkable beauty.
The completion of the church occurred in 1500 under the guidance of Simón de Colonia, who also served as the master craftsman for Burgos Cathedral.
This highly ornamental stonework reflects the Isabeline Gothic style, associated with Queen Isabella I. At the pinnacle of the façade rests the coat of arms shared by her and King Fernando II. Inside, one can view the baptismal sites of Spanish kings Felipe II and Felipe IV.
The primary chapel also features the tomb of Francisco Gómez de Sandoval, the most influential figure in the country during the 17th-century reign of King Felipe III.
4. Santa María la Antigua Church
The solemn Romanesque bell tower of this 12th-century church is one of Valladolid’s most iconic views, best appreciated from a bench at Portugalete Square.
This tower is the only surviving element of the original design, while the remainder of the structure dates back to the 1300s and showcases Gothic architecture.
The Romanesque features of the tower are evident in its square design, pyramidal spire, minimal decoration, and elongated narrow arches of its windows.
A notable feature on the north side includes a charming arcaded gallery with fourteen arches, divided into three sections by Cistercian-style buttresses.
5. Academia de Caballería
Situated at the northern edge of Valladolid’s primary park, Campo Grande, this impressive structure belongs to the Spanish military.
Constructed in 1920, the Academia de Caballería features a historicist design inspired by Castilian plateresque architecture from Spain’s Golden Age.
Currently, it serves as Spain’s only operational cavalry academy, producing approximately 800 graduates annually in the ranks of lieutenants and sergeants.
For enthusiasts of military history, the on-site museum showcases an extensive collection of medals, paintings, weapons, saddles, and various memorabilia relating to Spain’s cavalry.
6. Plaza Mayor
While nearly every Spanish city boasts a Plaza Mayor, few can rival Valladolid’s in size or historical significance.
Known as “Plaza Mayor” since the 1300s, the square was redesigned in the 1500s after a city-wide fire.
Arcades were subsequently added to the buildings surrounding the square, a configuration that gained popularity and was replicated in Salamanca and Madrid.
Today, they are a defining feature of main plazas throughout the country.
The Town Hall is prominently located here; originally, various trade guilds occupied the square, but they have since transitioned to accommodate restaurants and tapas bars.
7. Casa de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is esteemed as Spain’s most revered literary figure, celebrated for penning Don Quijote, acknowledged as the world’s first modern novel.
At the turn of the 17th century, Cervantes relocated to Valladolid following the royal court of Felipe III’s transfer to the city.
The location of his residence during this period remained unknown until 1860, when archival documents revealed his residence in 1605 on Calle del Rastro. Although the exterior has been altered, the internal layout remains intact and is adorned with early 17th-century furnishings.
8. Campo Grande
The city’s largest urban park, Campo Grande, is truly enchanting, featuring fountains, marble sculptures, and an ornamental lake adorned with swans.
On pleasant days, visitors can leisurely stroll along the Paseo Príncipe, a grand thoroughfare flanked by elegant gas lamps and lush foliage from the park’s 60 different species of trees.
The park is home to peacocks that roam freely, showcasing their vibrant plumage as they traverse the paths and gardens.
Additionally, there are three aviaries within the park, housing a variety of species including Japanese bantam roosters and pheasants.
9. Pasaje Gutiérrez
This gallery emerged as a response to the city’s industrialization; as streets grew busier, the creation of covered passages between buildings provided refined spaces for the bourgeois and affluent to shop. Today, Pasaje Gutiérrez stands as one of only three remaining in Spain, serving as a beautiful tribute to the Belle Époque. The gallery consists of two sections connected by an elegant junction beneath a striking metal and glass dome.
Central to this junction is a graceful statue of Mercury, cast in Haute-Marne, France, during the mid-1800s.
10. Teatro Calderón de la Barca
The neoclassical Calderón Theatre, inaugurated in 1864, remains one of the largest theatres in Spain.
Named after the distinguished 17th-century author and playwright, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, a significant cultural figure during the height of the Spanish Empire.
The theatre’s opulent interior was crafted by 19th-century Italian architect Augusto Ferri, who expertly aligned Spain’s theatres with the finest standards found in central Europe.
Offering a range of performances, including opera, plays, musicals, and dance, it is advisable to check the program during your visit to Valladolid for entertaining options that may interest you.
11. Calle de la Platería
This broad street running north to south is part of the city’s reconstruction following the mid-16th century fire.
This project represented a revolutionary approach to urban planning, subsequently adopted by Spanish colonies worldwide.
Now fully pedestrianized, it offers a refined atmosphere for enjoying a coffee or shopping experience.
As you stroll northward, you will enjoy a captivating view of the Church of Santa Vera Cruz.
You may also explore its splendid collection of 16th and 17th-century sculptures, alongside a reliquary that contains what is believed to be a fragment of the wood from the cross used for the crucifixion of Jesus.
12. Museo Oriental
Located on the southern side of Campo Grande, the Convento de los Agustinos Filipinos is a charming 18th-century seminary established to train priests for missions to the Philippines.
This connection to the Far East is preserved within the building’s basement, home to one of the finest Asian art collections in Spain.
The artifacts collected primarily in China and the Philippines by missionary priests during the 19th century are exceptional, with some dating back nearly 2,000 years.
The Chinese section features paintings, porcelain, bronzes, and coins, while the Filipino section exhibits tribal sculptures and traditional weaponry, representing the diverse culture of the region.
13. Puente Colgante
Upon visiting this industrial-era landmark, you may find yourself puzzled.
Referred to as the “Suspension Bridge,” it may mislead one with its naming, as you will soon discover that only its abutments were constructed initially; the project was halted in 1854, while the remaining structure is a wrought-iron bowstring design that opened in 1865. When completed, it marked Valladolid’s second crossing over the Pisuerga River and stood as one of Spain’s pioneering iron constructions from the industrial era.
14. Castle of La Mota
This stunning castle situated south of Valladolid is recognized as one of Spain’s most beautiful.
Its remarkable preservation enhances its appeal, and upon closer inspection, you will see that it is constructed from thousands of locally produced red bricks.
Dating back to the 1400s, the most distinctive aspect is the “Torre del Homenaje,” which stands five stories tall and is adorned with corner turrets.
The walls of this tower are marked by the scars of artillery fire from centuries past.
During the advancement of gunpowder technology, the outer walls remained resilient due to their relatively low height and the protection provided by the extensive moat surrounding the fortress.
15. Valladolid Wine
The province of Valladolid is home to an impressive five Designation of Origin wine regions: Rueda, Cigales, Toro, Tierra de León, and Ribera del Duero, the most renowned of them all.
Each region has established a distinct wine route featuring various viticultural experiences. Visitors can partake in tours and tastings at numerous wineries, as well as visit wine-themed spas and cooperages, where one can observe the traditional craft of barrel-making.
The legendary Vega Sicilia vineyard is located a mere 25 kilometers from Valladolid, producing exceptional red wines from the tempranillo grape, celebrated for its exquisite maturation in oak barrels.
These wines are among the finest and most coveted in the world.
