Palencia history

Ancient Roots and Foundation

The history of Palencia is rooted in deep antiquity. The city was founded by the Vaccaei, a Celtiberian tribe, and originally bore the name Pallantia. It was a powerful and well-fortified settlement, renowned for its fierce resistance to Roman expansion before finally being conquered and integrated into the Roman Empire.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several strategic reasons:

• Geography and Resources: The city is located in the fertile valley of the Carrión River, in the Tierra de Campos region, which made it a natural breadbasket and a centre for agriculture.
• Strategic Location: Palencia was situated at the intersection of important trade routes and Roman roads linking the centre of the peninsula with the northern coast.
• Political Status: During the Visigothic period, the city became an important episcopal see, maintaining administrative and religious influence.

Early Culture and Economy

The economy of early Palencia was based on grain production and the wool trade, which laid the foundation for the future prosperity of the textile industry. Culturally, the city holds a special place in the history of Spain: it was here in the early 13th century that the first university in Spain (Studium Generale) was founded by King Alfonso VIII, forever inscribing Palencia in the annals of European enlightenment.

Chronology of Historical Events

The history of Palencia is rich in turning points that have defined its cultural and architectural character.

• 2nd century BC — Roman troops finally conquer the Celtiberian settlement of Pallantia, turning it into a thriving city of the Tarraconensis province.
• 672 — The Visigothic King Wamba brings the relics of the holy martyr Antoninus (San Antolín) to the city, who becomes the patron saint of Palencia.
• 1035 — King Sancho III the Great restores the city and revives the episcopal see after a period of destruction and desolation caused by military raids.
• 1212 — At the initiative of King Alfonso VIII, the first university in Spain (Studium Generale) is established in the city, becoming a prototype for other educational institutions in Europe.
• 1321 — The first stone is laid for the foundation of the grand Gothic Cathedral of San Antolín, the construction of which spanned several centuries.
• 1388 — The women of Palencia heroically defend the city against the English troops of the Duke of Lancaster, for which they receive the royal privilege to wear gold ribbons on their clothing.
• 1520 — Palencia joins the Revolt of the Comuneros against Emperor Charles V, defending the rights of Castilian cities.
• 18th century — The construction of the Canal de Castilla transforms the city into a key transport hub for the grain and flour trade.
• 1808 — During the Peninsular War, the city is occupied by Napoleonic troops, meeting fierce resistance from local residents.
• 1860 — The opening of railway connections gives a powerful impulse to the development of local industry and population growth.
• 1931 — On a hill above the city, the monumental statue of Cristo del Otero by sculptor Victorio Macho is inaugurated, becoming a symbol of modern Palencia.

Stages of the City's Formation and Transformation

The development of Palencia was defined by its strategic position at the crossroads of trade routes and its role in the history of the Kingdom of Castile. Below are the key milestones that shaped the modern appearance of the city:

• Roman Urbanisation. In the ancient period, the city, known as Pallantia, acquired developed infrastructure and a clear layout, becoming an important node on the route connecting Burdigala (Bordeaux) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga). This laid the foundation for the region's future commercial significance.
• Revival under Sancho III (11th century). After a period of decline and destruction from raids, the King of Navarre restored the episcopal see. This decision became a city-forming factor: new quarters began to grow around the cathedral, attracting artisans and merchants.
• Cultural Revolution (1212). The founding of the Studium Generale — the first university on the Iberian Peninsula — turned Palencia into the intellectual capital of its time. Although the university later ceded primacy to Salamanca, it forever secured the city's status as a centre of enlightenment.
• Architectural Flourishing (14th–16th centuries). The construction of the Gothic Cathedral of San Antolín ("The Unknown Beauty") stimulated the development of guilds of masons, sculptors, and artists, significantly enriching the cultural heritage and changing the city's skyline.
• Textile Manufacturing. Throughout the late Middle Ages and early modern period, the city's economy relied on wool production and the famous Palencia blankets, contributing to the accumulation of merchant capital.
• Transport Breakthrough: Canal de Castilla (18th–19th centuries). The construction of the canal was the largest hydraulic engineering project of the era, turning Palencia into a major logistics hub for grain export. Port facilities, warehouses, and flour mills appeared in the city.
• Railway Era (from 1860). The arrival of the railway radically changed the urban structure. The city expanded beyond the old walls, and the formation of industrial suburbs and parks began, accelerating the integration of local agrarian produce into the national market.
• 20th Century Industrialisation. The development of the automotive industry (specifically the influence of the Renault plant in nearby Villamuriel de Cerrato) and the food sector led to massive modernisation of the urban environment and population growth in the second half of the century.

The Architectural Mosaic of Palencia

The architectural appearance of Palencia is a visual guide to art history, where every era has left its distinct mark. The city is not frozen in one time; it demonstrates a harmonious blend of styles, from mysterious Visigothic crypts to bold modernist facades of the early 20th century.

Evolution of Styles and Iconic Monuments

Urban development evolved around the religious centre, gradually expanding along the main commercial artery. The main architectural milestones can be divided into the following stages:

• Visigothic and Romanesque Periods (7th–13th centuries). The oldest layers of the city are hidden underground or integrated into later structures.
  • Crypt of San Antolín — a unique example of 7th-century Visigothic architecture located beneath the modern cathedral. It is the foundation of the city's spiritual life.
  • Church of San Miguel — a striking example of the transition from the Romanesque style to Gothic. Its massive crenellated tower recalls times when temples also served as defensive fortresses.
• Gothic and Renaissance (14th–16th centuries). An era of flourishing that gifted the city its main treasures.
  • Cathedral of San Antolín — the city's dominant landmark, nicknamed "The Unknown Beauty" (La Bella Desconocida). While its exterior looks restrained, the interior amazes with the richness of Flamboyant Gothic transitioning into Renaissance and Plateresque styles.
  • Convent of San Pablo — demonstrates the elegance of late Gothic architecture, and its main chapel is considered a masterpiece of the Hispano-Flemish style.
• Baroque (17th–18th centuries). During this period, the urban environment was enriched with the opulent facades of monasteries and civil buildings.
  • Church of San Francisco — although founded earlier, its interiors and chapels underwent significant changes during the Baroque era, adding solemnity to the city.
• Modernism and Eclecticism (19th–20th centuries). The bourgeois development of the city brought new trends, embodied by local architect Jerónimo Arroyo.
  • Calle Mayor (Main Street) — the backbone of the city. It is a long promenade with arcades where the best examples of civil architecture are concentrated: the Palace of the Deputation (Palacio de la Diputación), the Council of Accounts building (Consejo de Cuentas), and residential houses with whimsical balconies and decor.
  • Mercado de Abastos (Market Hall) — an example of the use of iron and glass, characteristic of the industrial era.

Urban Planning Features

Palencia's layout is characterised by linearity and an abundance of greenery, making it one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Spain.

• Linear Structure: The city stretches from north to south along the Carrión River. The main axis is the pedestrian street Calle Mayor, nearly a kilometre long, around which life revolves. One side is dominated by historical buildings, while the other leads to modern districts and parks.
• Green Belt: Palencia is famous for its parks (such as the "Salón de Isabel II"), which occupy a significant part of the urban territory, creating a garden-city effect.
• Vertical Landmark: Rising above the city is a hill with the giant statue of Cristo del Otero (work of Victorio Macho, 1931). This monument in Art Deco and Post-Cubist style is not only a religious symbol but also a visual landmark completing the city's architectural ensemble.

Notable People of Palencia

The history of Palencia is inextricably linked with the names of monarchs, artists, explorers, and architects who left a mark not only in the city's chronicles but also in world culture.

• Blanche of Castile (1188–1252)
  Queen of France and Regent
  Born in Palencia. Daughter of King Alfonso VIII, she became the wife of Louis VIII and the mother of Louis IX (Saint Louis). Blanche went down in history as one of the wisest and most powerful female rulers of medieval Europe, effectively governing France during her son's minority and his participation in the Crusades.
• Alfonso VIII (1155–1214)
  King of Castile
  Although the King ruled all of Castile, he played a decisive role for Palencia. It was on his initiative that the first university in Spain (Studium Generale) was founded in the city in 1212, making Palencia the intellectual centre of the kingdom in the 13th century.
• Gabriel de Castilla (1577–1620)
  Admiral and Navigator
  A native of Palencia, renowned as a talented navigator. He is credited with one of the first sightings of Antarctica in the early 17th century (long before the official discovery of the continent), when his ship was driven far south of the Drake Passage by a storm.
• Jerónimo Arroyo (1871–1946)
  Architect and Sculptor
  A key figure in shaping the modern appearance of the city. Arroyo designed Palencia's most iconic buildings in Modernist and Eclectic styles, including the Palace of the Deputation and the Council of Accounts building. He is described as the man who "built" the city's main street — Calle Mayor.
• Victorio Macho (1887–1966)
  Sculptor
  One of the greatest Spanish sculptors of the 20th century. Although born in Zamora, Palencia became his spiritual home. He created the colossal statue of Cristo del Otero rising above the city and requested to be buried at its foot. The city also hosts a museum dedicated to his work.
• Elena Anaya (born 1975)
  Actress
  A modern star of world cinema born in Palencia. A Goya Award winner, known for roles in Pedro Almodóvar's films ("The Skin I Live In") and Hollywood blockbusters ("Wonder Woman"). She actively maintains cultural ties with her hometown.