 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 the structures of modernism and the pillars of distribution.
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, as most of us know, 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.
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. A magnificent building built as a chapel for Count Ansúrez, although nothing remains of the 11th century construction Romanesque remnants include the tower and the north cloister.
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 and the beautiful current façade was constructed by Friar Pedro de la Visitación with sculptural decorations made by Antonio Tomé and his obviously very talented sons.
Other monuments worth seeing and exploring include the Palace of the Pimentel Family, the palace in which Felipe II, arguably one of the most powerful monarchs of the modern age, was born on 21 May 1527. His father, the emperor Carlos V, often visited this palace on his infrequent visits back to Spain from his many foreign battlegrounds.
During the late middle ages and the beginning of the modern era, the city of Valladolid often played host to the itinerant court and this was the place where the Royal Court and Chancery were located. The route of the Court takes you from the Royal Palace that was the seat of the Court of Felipe III and Margarita of Austria and the birthplace of Felipe IV.
The route takes in the spectacular Plaza Mayor, one of the points of the city in which the Court held celebrations to honour the many distinguished visitors to the city. This place has been witness to some celebrated encounters and witnesses included Miguel de Cervantes, perhaps Spain’s most celebrated writer who lived for a time in Valladolid.
At the end of a visit to Valladolid what remains left for the casual visitor is that the city is open for business.
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 wines from Ribera de Duero.
Fiestas de Valladolid
Valladolid has a full calendar of fiestas and celebrations. These are both religious and pagan in flavour and, because of the huge popular following from the locals, ensure that the streets of Valladolid become filled with colour and life. The most popular fiestas include:
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 to the 9th September. During this extended time one of the largest street parties in the world is organised. There are celebrations of all kinds organised and there are many enactments and street shows that provide endless fascination for all participants.
For more information check out: http://www.asomateavalladolid.com
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