Medina del Campo


Medina del Campo is a town and municipality of Spain located in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Part of the Province of Valladolid, it is the centre of a farming area.

History

Medina del Campo grew in importance thanks to its fairs held 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 of Zapardiel brook. Since then, the Padilla Street became 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 of Catherine of Aragon to King Henry VII's son, Prince Arthur - this was known as the Treaty of Medina del Campo.
At the time of the Revolt 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 the burning 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. The fair of Medina del Campo featured a notable presence of international dealers, chiefly Castilian, Portuguese, Italian and Flemish, as well as also some French, English and German merchants.
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 the primary sector. 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, and the opening of the . Also adding to the growth were the strong commercial sector, such as the furniture trade or the opening of shops on Sundays, and finally proximity of quality wines with the ''Denominación de Origen of Rueda.

Main sights

Almost all the buildings of artistic interest date from the 16th century; examples are the country house known as Casa Blanca, the Palacio de Dueñas and the Hospital of Simón Ruiz. These buildings were promoted by rich merchant bankers who prospered thanks to the General Fair of the Spanish Kingdom held in Medina del Campo during the 15th and 16th centuries. The 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. Medina del Campo was founded on the hill called La Mota in 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 a Celtic walled settlement dated from the 4th century BC.

Castle of La Mota

The word Mota refers to an artificial hill built to defend the castle better. The Mota fortress had a military function and it also was a royal dungeon, among its most notorious prisoners being Cesare Borgia. The castle was built between the 12th century and 15th century. It has a moat with its own drawbridge, an outer curtain wall, an inner curtain wall surrounding a large courtyard, and a great .
The castle was abandoned and collapsed, but was restored after the Spanish Civil War. It was the first monumental building in Medina designated as a Heritage Site.

Walls

Medina was a walled village, and its stronghold was 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

This church was built beside the wall gate of the old town, opposite the original city hall, which no longer exists. Probably, its entrance hall was the meeting point of the council.
The oldest part of the church is of Mudéjar-Gothic style; but was renovated several times. The greater chapel has large dimensions, with Gothic ribbed vault roof and an interesting altarpiece dated from the 16th century.
In the choir, which is in the west facade, we can admire the magnificent baroque organ, dated from the 18th century, a recently restored masterpiece.

Las Reales Carnicerías

This is an ancient market-hall, in Spanish called Mercado de Abastos, on the left bank of the Zapardiel brook, was built under the Catholic Monarchs in 1500 in Renaissance style. Later, in the reign of Philip 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)

This lane connects the Main Square with St. Michael's Bridge. This street was named in honour of , a communard leader of the Castilians in the 16th century ; but earlier was named "Rúa Nueva". Padilla Street was the downtown area 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.

La Casa del Peso (The House of Pounds)

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" and to guarantee the official weights and measures.

Royal Palace

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 of Isabel la Católica, 26 November 1504.
The Palace was started in the 14th century and was enlarged both by Don Fernando de Antequera, as well as by the Reyes Católicos. It was restored three times, in 1601, 1603 and 1673. It was at one time much larger than the present-day building.

Collegiate Church of San Antolín

This church, dedicated to St. Antoninus of Pamiers, is in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It was constructed between the 16th century and the 18th century. The nave and the aisles are of Late Gothic style, with numerous chapels, such as the Chapel of the Virgen del Pópolo, with a balcony, 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

The main activities of the industrial sector are furniture, metal the food industry. 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, 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

Events

The has been officially declared a Tourist Attraction, because of the artistic value of his religious images and the documented antiquity of its processions. The has 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 , which consists of hare-coursing.
The local patron feast San Antolín is held on 2 September. The celebrations revolve around the religious ceremonies and, above all, around the bullfighting.
The encierros are very typical of Medina. Also emblematic are the , in Spanish so-called cortes, in which people go towards the bull and, just when the beast attacks, try to avoid them.

Twin towns