Valladolid History, Spain

Located in north-central Spain, Valladolid is a city overflowing with history. It is the capital of the province with the same name, the independent community of Leon and Castile. This makes Valladolid a part of Castile which happens to be very historical as well. Learn more about the facts behind Valladolid History.

Valladolid History – Spanish Period

For a period of time, Valladolid was under the Moorish rule just like some cities of Spain. However, in the 10th century, Spain gained Valladolid from the Arab colonizers. Count Pedro Ansurez developed the conditions of the small town during the eleventh century and slowly, the city gained attention from the Kingdom of Spain. An important event occurred in the city when the queen of Castile, Isabella, and the King of Aragon, Ferdinand got married in Valladolid.

The Kingdom of Spain still recognized Valladolid as the capital of the country and the monarchs continued to live in the city. However, in 1561, King Philip II shifted the capital to Madrid. The voyager who discovered America, Christopher Columbus, died in Valladolid in 1506. And when King Philip III ruled Spain, the capital was again moved to Valladolid from 1601 to 1606. The city is where Miguel de Cervantes published his work Don Quixote for the very first time. For the second time, the capital of Spain was moved from Valladolid to Madrid permanently. Because of this, the once glorious city has declined and its population decreased from a hundred thousand to just twenty thousand.

Valladolid History – 19th Century

By the 19th century, the once magnificent, powerful and glorious city of Valladolid became just one of the ordinary cities of the Kingdom of Spain. Add to this, the French attacked Valladolid causing much destruction to the city during the Peninsular War starting from 1808 to 1814. A great number of historical and cultural buildings were ruined.

When the French lost the war and left Valladolid, the city slowly gained back its glory and in 1850, its economy had transformed. Not long after, by the end of the 19th century, Valladolid experienced crisis which caused very slow development.

Valladolid History – 20th Century

Valladolid has not experienced much progress at the beginning of the 20th century. However, after the civil war ended in the 1940s, the city went through industrial development, particularly in the auto industry. Valladolid’s economy grew relatively.

At present, although Valladolid has not fully regained its 16th century glory, it has grown and is now a modern city worthy to be called as one of Spain’s greatest cities. Valladolid History is indeed worth learning about. Looking back into the events that transpired in Spain, you may also catch a glimpse of other facts by reading Zaragoza History and Madrid History.