Get to know the capital of Palencia
Our route "Conoce la Capital" begins in Frómista, from there we leave towards the A-67 road and in just half an hour we will reach the city of Palencia. In total we will travel about 32 kilometers by car. In our experience, it is best to park outside the historic center of the city.
We gradually enter the city, which runs along the Carrion River, a quiet place home to incredible architectural and artistic works. Everything is also very close, so we can walk to all the sites.
11:30h Visit Palencia. Reservation: 634 874 259
The Cathedral of San Antolin: Our first stop is the Cathedral of San Antolin, a Historic Artistic Monument since 1929 and is known as the Unknown Beauty. Belonging to the XIV century, its architecture stands out for its great height, its Gothic style and the great detail of the decoration. You can admire its nave, its windows and its incredible gargoyles.
La Bella Desconocida is not only exterior, but underneath the building there is another old Romanesque style building of which the crypt of San Antolin is still preserved, who is also the patron saint of the city.
Crypt of San Antolin: this subway crypt dates back to two different periods, the oldest is from the Visigothic period of the 7th century and the second corresponds to the Proto-Romanesque period of the 11th century.
Inside there is a barrel vault supported by transverse arches that covers the entire rectangular space. There are also two monolithic columns whose capitals have vegetal and geometric forms.
Cathedral Museum: inside the cathedral, located in its cloister, is the Cathedral Museum, a museum composed of numerous pieces such as Romanesque covers and images, Flemish and Renaissance tapestries or a collection of artistic paintings by El Greco and Berruguete, among others.
Diocesan Museum: this museum is located in the dependencies of the Episcopal Palace and in it is a collection formed by a great multitude of works of famous masters of sculpture, painting, religious archaeology, fabrics, minor arts and goldsmith whose period covers from the VII century to the XXI century.
1:30 p.m. Walk along the banks of the Carrión River
Our second destination takes us to the waters of the Carrión River, being its banks one of the most important leisure destinations in Palencia thanks to its large green areas such as the Sotillo de los Canónigos.
14:30h Lunch
Walk through the center. Isabel II Park - San Miguel Church - Main Street - Main Square.
Our afternoon route begins with a visit to Isabel II Park, which is located right next to the Calle Mayor. It is not only known for being one of the main lungs of the city, but also because as you walk around you can admire the stores that dot the street, the facades and, in the northern area, the Post and Telegraph building.
The Church of San Miguel is our next stop. This building built at the foot of a temple of the eleventh century stands out for its thirteenth-century tower and for being constituted by three naves divided by pilasters covered by ribbed vaults. The main doorway is Gothic in style and is framed by six archivolts. On the other hand, its apse is of Romanesque style.
We walk through the streets again towards the Calle Mayor, visit the Tourist Office in case we need more information and head towards the Plaza Mayor where the facades of the nineteenth century Town Hall and the church of San Francisco, a Franciscan building of the thirteenth century await us.
18:30H Visit to El Cristo del Otero
Before leaving Palencia we have one last destination, visit El Cristo del Otero, a must for all tourists traveling to Palencia.
The Cristo del Otero is a monumental sculpture of 20 meters high whose author is the Palencia artist Victorio Macho. Not only will you be surprised by its height but also because it is located on a viewpoint from which you can see the entire city of Palencia, and the region of Tierra de Campos. Below this sculpture is the hermitage inside which the artist is buried, also, you can also see other works of his and learn about his life in the Interpretation Center.
Where to sleep in Palencia
Our Eco-Hotel Doña Mayor is located in Frómista, the perfect place if you don't know where to sleep in Palencia. Frómista is only half an hour away from the city of Palencia and thanks to its location you can rest and relax in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Do you want to discover a province full of treasures? Then we are waiting for you at the Eco-Hotel Doña Mayor.
