Medina
(most of this page and its links have been
taken from the web page of
the congress WAGP, held in
(I hope most of the data are still valid, but I cannot guarantee it, if
you find something wrong, something like a phone number that doesn't work, go
to the contact address, send me a mail and I will look for the updated
information for you)
How to reach Medina del Campo
Medina del Campo, a town
with a population of twenty thousand people, is the most prominent locality in
the province of Valladolid after the capital itself.
The earliest remains of settlements date back to the Iron Age. The oldest
documentary evidence of
International recognition came with the trade fairs. It is the first place in
the world to use bills of exchange in commercial transactions. A suspension of
payments decreed by the state in 1596 put an end to all trading activities.
Isabella I ruled Castle from this town for a long period of time. She died in
the Royal Palace of Medina. In 1492 an accidental fire burnt down 260
buildings; another fire caused by the troops of Charles I burnt to ashes 900
dwellings.
The old area of the town was declared listed building in 1991.
PATRIMONY:
The most prominent
monument in Medina del Campo is the Castle of la Mota. Built in 1440 by John I, in
mudejar style, was designed by Ferdinand Carreño and Alonso Niño. It was a
royal residential palace, then prison of the Kingdom. In 1904 it was declared a
listed building.
We can also metion the Main Square of the "Hispanidad" with the some
remains of the Royal Palace,
The
Dueñas Palace, the Simón
Ruiz Hospital, the Church of
Santiago , the Church of
Saint Michael and
the Salinas
Spa. The Church
of San Antolín was granted the state of Collegiate Church in 1430 by order
of Pope Sixtus IV. It is a late gothic building whose construction began in
1502 and lasted for over 100 years.
Other monuments are:
The
Saint Claire, the oldest convent in the town, founded in the XlIth
century.
Saint Mary the Royal, a convent of Royal Dominicans that was built
between XIV and XVI centuries. The gothic-renaissance church has a spectacular
mudejar coffered ceiling.
The Royal Butcher's renaissance building from the 16th century.
The White-House, a country house whose central patio has some stunning
XVI century plasterwork.
LEISURE
TIME:
Diverse cultural activities
take place in Medina del Campo throughout the year: in May the Cinema festival Villa
de Medina; between August and September, an outstanding Philatelic
Exhibition; in August, the open-air theatre Festival; in November and December
the International week of Music offers concerts.
The main event for the medinians is St. Antolin's Festivals, taking place early
in September with colourful bull fightings.
TOURIST
OFFICE:
Plaza Mayor, 37.
Phone: +34 983 81 13 57