Valladolid

Valladolid is the capital of the province of Valladolid and the capital of the Castile and Leon region of Spain.

Valladolid has been home to many Spanish notables, once vied with Madrid as capital of Spain and has seen some of Spain's greatest art and architecture. Unfortunately the town has become very industrialized, much of its former glory has been destroyed and its historic old town is pretty delapidated. However there are still buildings and art works worth visiting.  Valladolid's Plaza Mayor is also very fine. It is a large square surrounded by arcaded buildings and was the first plaza of its kind to be built in Spain. It is now replicated throughout Spain and South America.

Valladolid is also home to Spain's best collection of multi-coloured wooden religious sculpture.

Visit Valladolid, Spain

The Plaza Mayor is surrounded by arcaded buildings painted a deep red. Lots of bars and restaurants are in this area and it is an attractive spot to stop for refreshments.

Valladolid's cathedral remains unfinished. It is not especially beautiful but does have a reredos (the decorated screen behind the alter) by Juan de Juni and in its museum are carvings by Gregorio Fernandez.

Valladolid's 15th century university has a Baroque facade by Narisco Tomé who later did the Transparente in Toledo Cathedral. One of the university buildings - the Colegio de Santa Cruz has a lovely three storey patio. It is open during working hours.

 

Valladolid

Museums in Valladolid

Near to Valladolid's Plaza Mayor is the Museo de San Joaquin and Sant Ana which houses 3 Goya paintings.

The Monastery of San Benito houses the Museo Patio Herreraino which is a Contemporary Art Museum containing works by Joan Miro, Antoni Tapies and many more. It is also a chance to have a closer look at the monastery itself which has a lovely Renaissance courtyard.

The Museo de Valladolid is an archeology and art museum housed in a Renaissance mansion.

The Museo Nacional de Escultura housed in the lovely Colegio de San Gregorio houses many religious sculptures by the best artist of the Spanish Renaissance. Works include some by Deigo de Siloé, Juan de Juni and Gregorio Fernandez.  The building has a superb Isabelline (late Gothic) facade and a Plateresque staircase and a beautiful patio with twisted columns.

The Museo Oriental has some excellent pieces of Chinese art and Philippine art. These were collected by Spanish missionaries sent out by the Colegio de Agustinos (where the museum is housed) who went to China and the Philippines in the 16-19 centuries.

Places to see near Valladolid

Simancas to the southwest of Valladolid is home to a large castle - now home to Spain's national archive.

Another castle can be seen at Penafiel to the east of Valladolid. It has a long narrow shape often compared to a battleship.