OLMEDO

GETTING YOUR BEARINGS

At 40 km south of Valladolid, Olmedo was an outstanding walled town in the Middle Ages, after being repopulated by Alfonso VI in 1085. Two historical battles are associated with the town; they were fought during the kingdoms of Juan II and Enrique IV of Castile, in 1445 and 1467. The name “Olmedo” means elm-grove in Spanish. In fact, an elm appears on the local coat of arms, together with a castle and two lions.

DESCRIPTION

The visit begins at the Mudejar themed park. Amidst an extensive green area of almost 15,000 sqm, visitors can find the miniatures of some of the civil, military and religious monumental landmarks of Castilla y León, thanks to the effort and dedication of a local craftsman, Félix Arranz. Some models are large enough to allow an adult getting into them. On one side, the park is attached to the old wall of the town. On the other, the 18^th century Caño Nuevo is considered the most monumental fountain and laundry in the province of Valladolid.

Before entering the historic town, we will see the Olmedo spa hotel, which sits on the former convent of Cistercian nuns of Sancti-Spíritus, originally from the 12th century. Some historical outbuildings are open to visitors: a small patio, next to the cafeteria, and a large hall with baroque plaster vaults.

Then you will pass by the so-called “San Faco” neighbourhood, named after the four Franciscan convents that were located here. A covered porch, on pillars, enhances the façade of the former convent of Franciscan Conceptionist nuns, founded in the early 16th century.

The former Mercedarian convent (“Merced Calzada”) is occupied now by the Town Hall and a theatre, at the former Baroque church of the building. Opposite, the church of Santa María del Castillo was basically built in Gothic-Mudejar style. It keeps a plain Romanesque side portico. At one side of the church, a statue recalls the figure of Brother Bartolomé de Olmedo, who participated in the conquest of Mexico, accompanying Hernan Cortes. In this same square, the Troche’s house, whose family coat of arms displays three trout.

You will soon arrive at the main square (Plaza Mayor), surrounded by several arcaded houses. Here visitors will find the Clock Tower and the former Royal Chancery (higher court of justice), which was provisionally settled here when a plague struck the city of Valladolid in the 16th century. At another corner of the square the old town hall (16-17th centuries) shows its stone balconies, under which the “Corregidor” (Mayor’s) arch was built.

Your next step in the tour is Saint Andrew’s church or, properly speaking, its remains: it is a consolidated ruin. Its 13^th century Mudejar-style apse shows the elegance of the Hispano-Muslim masons: arches, reliefs and geometric drawings, made in brick, fully decorate the walls. Two other monuments are settled next to the church: the convent of Dominican nuns and the “Arco de la Villa” (the town’s arch), one of Olmedo’s Medieval gateways. The walled enclosure, on the west-side of the town, has been preserved and restored.

The tour then passes by Saint Michael’s arch and church. This is another Mudejar-style building with a magnificent apse to which the Virgin of Soterraña chapel and crypt are attached.

After having walked along a section of the Medieval wall, the tour will finish in front of the “Caballero de Olmedo” palace. The building currently houses a themed interpretation centre on the Spanish theatre of the Golden Age (16^th-17^th centuries) and, namely, on the so-called play by Lope de Vega.

As a final remark, the churches of Olmedo are closed on business days and they only open to worship at certain times on weekends. So, you might have to content yourself admiring them from the outside.

DURATION   

• 2h 30 
• 5h combined with one of the historic towns areound Olmedo: Coca, Medina del Campo, Tordesillas or Cuéllar.