palencia

Palencia is a city in the northwest of the Tierra de Campos of central Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon.
It lived its period of greatest splendour in the Middle Ages. In 1208 the first Spanish university was founded here. Today the city is watched over by the imposing sculpture of Cristo del Otero which protects its rich medieval heritage which arose in many cases around the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela.

More than fifty buildings are preserved almost intact, Romanesque buildings which can be visited in this province are the church of San Martin in Fromista, the church of Santa Eufemia in Olmos de Ojeda or the monastery of Santa Maria de Mave.

Palencia's flamboyant Gothic Cathedral is referred to as the "unknown beauty". The austerity of its Gothic façade conceals a wealth of art inside, including a retablo of twelve panels by Juan de Flandes, court painter to Queen Isabella of Castile. Among its most prized treasures are a valuable plateresque reredos and the crypt of San Antolin. A visit can be made to the Cathedral Museum, which contains works by painters such as El Greco and Zurbaran.

Palencia is also famous for the Museum of Palencia, The house of the Cordon; a large house from the 16th century, proudly displayed is the collection of Celtiberian objects coming from excavations of Monte Bernorio, Tariego and Palenzuela. The 'Tesera de hospitalidad' is one of the most treasured exhibits by the museum. Also not to be missed is the Museum Diaz-Caneja of Contemporary Art; the museum's collections are made up of a full exhibition of the pictorial work of Juan Manuel Diaz-Caneja. Northern Palencia also contains one of the largest and most notable collections of Romanesque art in the world.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) festival has been declared of tourist interest in Castilla y Leon. Not to be missed during this Holy week are the Saludo de los Estandartes (the greeting of the standards), El Prendimiento (the Arrest), and la Procesion del Rompimiento del velo (the procession of the tearing of the veil), which marks the end of Holy Week and announces the resurrection of Christ, among explosions of firecrackers, the tolling of bells, and the giving out or bread rolls, almond and lemonade.

One is also provided with the opportunity to enjoy the facilities offered by the Parador de Cervera de Pisuerga, located near the Picos de Europa Mountains. One of the other major attractions of this area is the Natural Park of Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre, they are located in the most remote and inaccessible border lands. They contain many lakes of glacial origin and are almost unknown. Here you will find a brown bear population which is protected by The Servicio Territorial de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Castilla y Leon.

Other Towns of the Province

Aguilar de Campoo - Contains some of the most attractive sights in the province. Noted for its arcaded square; you will find the church of San Miguel, its museum containing the parish treasure, with precious metalwork, paintings and ivory. No less important is the monastery of Santa Maria la Real, of pre-Gothic style which is among the oldest in Spain. And, finally, is the hermitage of Santa Cecilia, complete with its charismatic tower.

Fromista - The town of Fromista is a stage on the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela and is the capital of Palencia's Romanesque legacy. Fromista's most outstanding monument is the church of San Martin, This temple, stands out because of the simplicity of its lines and the perfect balance struck between the architecture and the incredible wealth of decoration. A wonderful display of light, colours and lines which represents a milestone in the Romanesque style linked to the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela.

discover castilla Y leon

The following links will take you to the different regions: