Main sights Medina del Campo

1 main sights

1.1 castle of la mota
1.2 walls
1.3 st. michael s church
1.4 las reales carnicerías
1.5 la calle padilla (padilla street)
1.6 la casa del peso (the house of pounds)
1.7 royal palace
1.8 collegiate church of san antolín

main sights

la casa blanca, country mansion of rodrigo de dueñas, built in 16th century.

almost buildings of artistic interest date 16th century; examples country house known casa blanca, palacio de dueñas (don rodrigo de dueñas manor house) , hospital of simón ruiz. these buildings promoted rich merchant bankers prospered general fair of spanish kingdom held in medina del campo during 15th , 16th centuries. museum of fairs created exhibit items connected open market, , popular visitor attraction.

the word medina means city in arabic (المدينة). medina del campo founded on hill called la mota in 11th century, in same place castle is, , remains of wall still survive. @ moment, mota hill suburban area, in middle ages town centre.

in addition, hill has archaeological remains such stronghold, medieval village , celtic walled settlement dated 4th century bc (iron age).

castle of la mota


front view of castle of la mota.

the word mota refers artificial hill built defend castle better (see motte-and-bailey castle). mota fortress had military function , royal dungeon, among notorious prisoners being cesare borgia. castle built between 12th century , 15th century. has moat own drawbridge (today fixed), outer curtain wall (for artillery), inner curtain wall (with arrow slits archers , guards) surrounding large courtyard (with chapel), , great square tower (which keep).

the castle abandoned , collapsed, restored after spanish civil war (1936–1939). first monumental building in medina designated heritage site (bien de interés cultural).

walls

medina walled village, , stronghold important building around town protect people attacks. walls date 11th century, , enlarged 3 times, population growing. @ present, there remains.

st. michael s church

this church built beside wall gate of old town, opposite original city hall, no longer exists. probably, entrance hall meeting point of council.

the oldest part of church of mudéjar–gothic style; renovated several times. greater chapel has large dimensions, gothic ribbed vault roof , interesting altarpiece dated 16th century.

in choir, in west facade, can admire magnificent baroque organ, dated 18th century, restored masterpiece.

las reales carnicerías

this ancient market-hall, in spanish called mercado de abastos, on left bank of zapardiel brook, built under catholic monarchs in 1500 in renaissance style. later, in reign of philip ii, used sale of meat population. historic building of type in world still used original purpose.

la calle padilla (padilla street)

this lane connects main square st. michael s bridge (also called puente de las cadenas). street named in honour of don juan de padilla, communard leader of castilians in 16th century (see castilian war of communities); earlier named rúa nueva (new road). padilla street downtown area numerous banks , jewellery shops settled, , of them still mains.

whereas financiers settled in padilla street, other merchants distributed in main square according ordenanzas de feriantes (lodging ordinances).

la casa del peso (the house of pounds)

this building stands in main square , built on 5 elegant arcades long balcony. established in 17th century in order keep peso real (royal weight) , guarantee official weights , measures.

royal palace

this mansion residence of royal family in time of fairs. in palace many historical incidents happened during 14th , 15th centuries. important episode , death of isabel la católica (queen of castile), 26 november 1504 (for reason called palacio testamentario, testamentary palace).

the palace started in 14th century , enlarged both don fernando de antequera (lord of medina del campo and, afterwards, king of aragon), reyes católicos. restored 3 times, in 1601, 1603 , 1673. @ 1 time larger present-day building.

facade of collegiate church of san antolín in medina del campo


collegiate church of san antolín

this church, dedicated st. antoninus of pamiers (san antolín), in gothic, renaissance , baroque styles. constructed between 16th century , 18th century. nave , aisles of late gothic style, numerous chapels, such chapel of virgen del pópolo, balcony, used celebrate mass market traders lodged in main square. collegiate church of medina restored in 2004.