There is another Valladolid

Valladolid was once the capital of the mighty Spanish empire, but those glorious days are long gone.

Even many Spaniards today only know Valladolid as a center of light industry. However, Valladolid could easily compete with leading tourist destinations in Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and Valencia, thanks to its rich culture and history.

The city of Valladolid possesses a rare treasure trove of history.

Ancient city

Many visitors' first impression of Valladolid is that it's incredibly small and charming. With only about 300,000 people living in Valladolid, visitors can easily reach all the famous landmarks on foot. The first place pedestrians should visit is San Pablo Square, the "heart" of Valladolid. In the center of the square stands a monument to King Philip II (1527-1598). He was born and raised in Valladolid. Pimentel Castle, along with the nearby Valladolid Royal Palace, served as the residence and workplace of many generations of the Spanish royal family. These two buildings are renowned for their quintessential Renaissance architecture and the collection of artifacts chronicling the life and career of Philip II and other Spanish rulers.

Located next to Pimentel Castle is the San Pablo Church. King Philip II and Philip IV (1605-1665) were both baptized here. French Emperor Napoleon (1769-1821) also visited the church. Europe has many magnificent churches, but few transform their facade into such a spectacular bas-relief as San Pablo. Any book on Gothic architecture uses the facade of San Pablo Church as an example. Inside, San Pablo Church doesn't have as much gold, silver, or stained glass as other Western European churches, but the architect skillfully used windows and natural light to highlight the beauty of the white stone used to build the church.

Valladolid boasts no fewer than 20 museums. Visitors should not miss the National Museum of Sculpture, which houses a collection of Spain's most valuable sculptures from the 13th to 19th centuries. Visitors will find works by masters such as Alonso Berruguete (1488–1561), Gregorio Fernández (1576–1636), and Pedro de Mena (1628–1688).

Not far from the National Sculpture Museum are three museums preserving the memory of three famous figures. The first is the poet and playwright José Zorrilla (1817-1893) – a son of Valladolid who brought fame to the city with numerous historical plays and romantic epics. The second is none other than the renowned explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506). He spent the last years of his life in a small house in Valladolid, where many of his writings are on display. The third is the great writer Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616). He wrote the famous novel "Don Quixote" while living in Valladolid. The house where he lived is now a museum named after the writer and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

Enjoy the present moment.

Valladolid is more than just a city of the past. It offers many delights for visitors to enjoy. Valladolid's cuisine is renowned for its grilled dishes, most notably the roasted suckling lamb (lechazo). Young lambs under 35 days old, roasted over a muskwood fire, acquire an unmistakable aroma. Lechazo is often served with soups such as sopa de chícharos (bean stew with mint) and coliflor al ajoarriero (cauliflower stew with garlic). Desserts include bolla de chicharrones (pork skin pie), roscos de yema (egg fritters), and mariquitas (fried plantains).

Valladolid is situated between five renowned wine regions: Cigales, Toro, Rueda, Ribera del Duero, and Tierra de León. All five regions are protected by geographical indications. Ribera wine, in particular, has been favored by Western European nobility for hundreds of years. The Spanish royal family, however, prefers Rueda wine, and today, wineries in Rueda still maintain the tradition of offering wine to the king annually. The local red, white, and rosé wines possess unique flavors thanks to the main ingredient: grapes grown on sandy, limestone, and clay soils. Several farms and wineries in the region have opened homestay services, allowing visitors to experience every step of the winemaking process, from grape harvesting to bottling.

Real Valladolid Football Club was recently promoted to La Liga after last season. Tourists visiting Valladolid shouldn't miss the opportunity to watch them play. Real Valladolid fans are so enthusiastic that they often celebrate before kick-off; be sure to celebrate with them with pints of beer and the famous salchicha de Zaratán sausages.

Besides religious festivals, the two most famous events in Valladolid are the World Tapas Championship and the Valladolid International Film Festival (commonly known as Seminci). Tapas isn't just a specific dish, but a general term for breakfast items. Tapas can include fried shrimp, anchovy sandwiches, grilled skewers, olive salad, and more. Every November, Valladolid hosts the World Tapas Championship, where chefs from Spanish-speaking countries showcase their skills. On this occasion, more than 40 bars in the city offer free tapas for diners to enjoy.

The Valladolid International Film Festival was first held in 1956. Initially, only religious films participated, but the event gradually transformed into a celebration of films with humanistic values. Seminci provided an opportunity for independent filmmakers to showcase their experimental works, and several famous Spanish directors, screenwriters, and actors have emerged from Seminci. Tourists wishing to learn about Spanish cinema should attend the Valladolid International Film Festival, held annually in March.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/co-mot-valladolid-khac-679854.html