|
Valladolid was the host of Spain’s most famous and significant wedding. In 1469 the two catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile married and cemented a power that would lead in 1492 to the eventual end of all Moorish occupation and the unification of a Christian Spain.
Isabella of Castile obviously had a good eye for partners – it was she who sponsored Christopher Columbus and began the great era of world exploration. With such a pedigree for good matches Valladolid, set in the heart of a romantic region made famous by one resident, Cervantes, the author of Don Quijote, makes a wonderful venue for two people getting married in Spain to begin their own golden age.
The tiny house in the centre of Valladolid where Cervantes lived for three years is just one of the many places of interest to visit. There is also the house where Columbus died and the birthplace of Phillip II, he of the great Spanish Armada that sought vainly to invade the protestant kingdom of Britain. Centrepiece to Valladolid’s treasures is Spain’s National Museum of Sculpture.
The main university building with a magnificent Baroque facade and the college Santa Cruz, a mixture of gothic and Renaissance, are worth a visit for architectural reasons. They are also the source of much of Valladolid’s contemporary life. Enlivened by a large student community the city has a vibrant nightlife. Newlyweds eager to enjoy friendly Castilian society can begin by soaking up the atmosphere of bustling Plaza Mayor before moving on to the Zona Santa Maria for tapas and the Zona Cantarranas for dancing.
Journeying outside the city honeymooners can marvel at the austere beauty of the region that inspired Cervantes. Nearby is the beautifully preserved town of Toro. It looks over the Duero river and a fertile plain, origin of some of Spain’s best wines and a wonderful area for romantic picnics.
|
