Wikipedia

Medina del Campo

Medina del Campois a town and municipality ofSpainlocated in the autonomous community ofCastile and León.Part of theProvince of Valladolid,it is the centre of a farming area.

Medina del Campo
Municipality
View of the city
View of the city
Flag of Medina del Campo
Flag
Coat of arms of Medina del Campo
Coat of arms
Map
Location of Medina del Campo
Coordinates:41°18′N4°55′W/ 41.300°N 4.917°W/41.300; -4.917
CountrySpain
Autonomous communityCastile and León
ProvinceValladolid
Government
• MayorMaría Teresa López Martin (PSOE)
Area
• Total
153.27 km2(59.18 sq mi)
Elevation
720 m (2,360 ft)
Population
(2018)[1]
• Total
20,583
• Density130/km2(350/sq mi)
DemonymMedinenses
Time zoneUTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code
47400
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Medina del Campo grew in importance thanks to itsfairsheld during the 15th and 16th centuries. This helped with banking and the businesses of wool, textiles, books and an enormous variety of other goods. As the population increased, the town expanded outward toward the plain ofZapardielbrook. Since then, thePadilla Streetbecame the business centre of Medina.

In 1489 a great trade agreement, that would last for 96 years, united the kingdoms of Spain and England with the reduction of trade tariffs, the recognition of France as a common enemy, and the marriage ofCatherine of Aragonto King Henry VII's son, Prince Arthur (and later toKing Henry VIII)—this was known as theTreaty of Medina del Campo (1489).

At the time of theRevolt of the Comuneros,Medina del Campo was a major town housing the royal artillery. A Royalist attempt to take possession of the artillery pieces led to heavy resistance culminating in theburning of the city.

During the 16th century Medina del Campo thrived, with its fair becoming the most important among the triangle of great Castilian fairs (Medina del Campo,VillalónandMedina de Rioseco).[2]The fair of Medina del Campo featured a notable presence of international dealers, chiefly Castilian, Portuguese, Italian (Genovese, Milanese and Florentines) and Flemish, as well as also some French, English and German merchants.[2]

A prosperousJewishcommunity once existed in Medina del Campo, but became nonexistent after theexpulsion of the Jewsin 1492.[3]

Medina del Campo in the mid-19th century, as drawn by Parcerisa.

Between the 17th century and the 19th century decline set in. The city experienced a deep transformation in its social fabric during the early 17th century, through a process of ruralization that increased the proportion of the populace employed at theprimary sector.[4]

The town took off again at the end of the 19th century, thanks to the arrival of the railway, the opening of the military district (the quarter ofMarques de la Ensenada), and the opening of the hydrothermal establishment ofLas Salinas.Also adding to the growth were the strong commercial sector, such as the furniture trade or the opening of shops on Sundays (which is not customary in Spain), and finally proximity of quality wines with theDenominación de OrigenofRueda.

Main sights

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Royal Palace

Almost all the buildings of artistic interest date from the 16th century; examples are the country house known asCasa Blanca,thePalacio de Dueñas(Don Rodrigo de Dueñas Manor House) and the Hospital of Simón Ruiz. These buildings were promoted by rich merchant bankers who prospered thanks to the GeneralFairof the Spanish Kingdom held in Medina del Campo during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Museum of the Fairs was created to exhibit items connected to this open market, and it is a popular visitor attraction.

The word "Medina" which means "city" in Arabic (المدينة). Medina del Campo was founded on the hill calledLa Motain the 11th century, in the same place where the Castle is, and remains of a wall still survive. At the moment, the Mota hill is a suburban area, however in the Middle Ages it was the town centre.

In addition, this hill has archaeological remains such as a stronghold, a medieval village and aCelticwalled settlement dated from the 4th century BC (Iron Age).

Castle of La Mota

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Main article:Castle of La Mota
View ofCastle of La Mota

The wordMotarefers to an artificial hill built to defend the castle better (Seemotte-and-bailey castle). The Mota fortress had a military function and it also was a royaldungeon,among its most notorious prisoners beingCesare Borgia.The castle was built between the 12th century and 15th century. It has amoatwith its owndrawbridge(today fixed), an outercurtain wall(forartillery), an inner curtain wall (witharrow slitsfor archers and guards) surrounding a largecourtyard,and a great square tower (which is theKeep).

The castle was abandoned and collapsed, but was restored after theSpanish Civil War(1936–1939). It was the first monumental building in Medina designated as a Heritage Site (Bien de interés cultural).

Walls

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Medina was a walled village, and itsstrongholdwas a very important building around the town to protect the people from attacks. The walls date from the 11th century, and they were enlarged three times, as the population was growing. At present, there are only remains.

St. Michael's Church

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This church was built beside the wall gate of the old town, opposite the originalcity hall,which no longer exists. Probably, its entrance hall was the meeting point of thecouncil.

The oldest part of the church is ofMudéjar–Gothicstyle; but was renovated several times. The greater chapel has large dimensions, with Gothicribbed vaultroof and an interestingaltarpiecedated from the 16th century.

In the choir, which is in the west facade, we can admire the magnificentbaroqueorgan, dated from the 18th century, a recently restored masterpiece.

Las Reales Carnicerías

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This is an ancient market-hall, in Spanish calledMercado de Abastos,on the left bank of the Zapardiel brook, was built under theCatholic Monarchsin 1500 inRenaissancestyle. Later, in the reign ofPhilip II,it was used for the sale of meat to the population. It is the only historic building of this type in the world still used for its original purpose.

La Calle Padilla (Padilla Street)

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This lane connects the Main Square withSt. Michael's Bridge(also calledPuente de las Cadenas). This street was named in honour ofJuan de Padilla,a communard leader of the Castilians in the 16th century (seeCastilian War of the Communities); but earlier was named"Rúa Nueva"(New Road). Padilla Street was thedowntownarea where numerous banks and jewellery shops settled, and actually some of them still mains.

Whereas the financiers settled in Padilla Street, the other merchants were distributed in the Main Square according to Ordenanzas de Feriantes (Lodging Ordinances).

La Casa del Peso (The House of Pounds)

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This building stands in the Main Square and is built over five elegant arcades with long balcony. It was established in the 17th century in order to keep the"Peso Real"(Royal Weight) and to guarantee the official weights and measures.

Royal Palace

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This mansion was the residence of the royal family in the time of Fairs. In this palace many historical incidents happened during the 14th and 15th Centuries. The most important episode was the will and death ofIsabel la Católica(Queen ofCastile), 26 November 1504 (for this reason it is also calledPalacio Testamentario,Testamentary Palace).

The Palace was started in the 14th century and was enlarged both byDon Fernando de Antequera(Lord of Medina del Campo and, afterwards, King ofAragon), as well as by theReyes Católicos.It was restored three times, in 1601, 1603 and 1673. It was at one time much larger than the present-day building.

Facade of the Collegiate Church of San Antolín in Medina del Campo

Collegiate Church of San Antolín

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Main article:Collegiate Church of San Antolín

This church, dedicated to St.Antoninus of Pamiers(San Antolín), is inGothic,RenaissanceandBaroquestyles. It was constructed between the 16th century and the 18th century. Thenaveand theaislesare ofLate Gothicstyle, with numerous chapels, such as the Chapel of theVirgen del Pópolo,with abalcony,which was used to celebrate the mass for all the market traders lodged in the Main Square. The Collegiate Church of Medina was restored in 2004.

Economy

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Silosin Medina del Campo

The main activities of the industrial sector are furniture (example Castill Confort), metal (for instance, MADE S.A., or Ferroaleaciones Españolas SA) the food industry (like Productos Casado and others). As for the service sector, it has a special place in the history of Medina, due to the tradition of Fairs. Today, many services are offered in the town such as administrative (private and public ones), or trade activities that are gathered in the historical centre of the town.

Most of the land is dry, so, the most important crops are cereals. However, viticulture is important too in the north of the municipality.

See also:Cuisine of the province of Valladolid

Transport

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The town is at one end of a test track for high speed trains and for theTalgo RDGauge Changersystem the other end being atOlmedo, Valladolid.

Events

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The Holy Week has been officially declared a Tourist Attraction, because of the artistic value of his religious images and the documented antiquity of itsprocessions.TheFilm Festival Weekhas been, for 19 years, an appointment for the producers of Short-Films of the whole world. There is also a Sports Week in spring, one rooted Half-Marathon and a tennis tournament. It is famous for the Greyhound Races National Championship, which consists of hare-coursing.

The local patron feast San Antolín (Saint Antoninus of Pamiers) is held on 2 September. The celebrations revolve around the religious ceremonies and, above all, around thebullfighting.

Theencierros(Running of the Bulls) are very typical of Medina (they let the fighting bulls loose throughout the fields and along the streets of the city, leading them up to thebullring). Also emblematic are theDodges,in Spanish so-calledcortes,in which people go towards the bull and, just when the beast attacks, try to avoid them.

→Annual temperature average:11.6°C
→Annual range of temperatures:18.4°C
→Annual precipitations:392 mm/m²
→Dry months:June, July, August and September
→Months with average temperatures under 0°C:none
→Climate:Mediterranean Continentalized.

Twin towns

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See also

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References

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Citations
  1. ^Municipal Register of Spain 2018.National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^abCasado Alonso 2018.
  3. ^"MEDINA DEL CAMPO".Encyclopedia of Judaism.Retrieved25 June2024.
  4. ^Fortea Pérez 1995,p. 44.
Bibliography
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