Palenzuela: History, Archaeology and River Landscape

Palenzuela lies along the Ruta de Carlos V, a route leading into a history connected with Charles V’s journey to Yuste. The town’s historical heritage includes the archaeological site of Pallantia, which preserves the remains of an ancient necropolis and a Celtiberian hillfort. In 1992, these were classified as an Archaeological Zone and designated an Asset of Cultural Interest.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Palenzuela, the listing pages allow travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions to be considered as different comparison criteria. This keeps the decision tied to your own dates and booking requirements.

History

Palenzuela Castle dates from the 15th century and survives only in the form of ruined sections of mortar and masonry. The Arco de la Paz is considered one of the gates of Palenzuela’s former town wall.

Culture

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista was built between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is a late Gothic church with Renaissance influences, particularly evident in its interior ornamentation; its altarpieces and tombs house important sculptural collections.

The consolidated ruins of the Iglesia de Santa Eulalia preserve a crenellated tower with a spiral staircase, a pointed-arch portal with several archivolts, fragments of walls, pillars with arches and part of the stone floor.

The Museo de Palenzuela is located in the town hall’s clock tower on the Plaza Mayor in Palenzuela. It is designed as a chronological tour through the history of the town and its surrounding area and includes archaeological artefacts from prehistoric and ancient times. An educational area allows visitors to explore genuine pre-Roman archaeological artefacts through touch and sight.

Landscape

A section of the former town wall features a viewing balcony with panoramic views of the banks of the Arlanza and Arlanzón rivers, as well as the valleys of the Cerrato. The Ermita de la Virgen de Allende de Río lies outside Palenzuela beside the Arlanza River, in an attractive landscape.

Around the hermitage are Roman remains, traces of an ancient road crossing a stream, and Roman and Visigothic funerary stelae. The combination of the riverbank, preserved architectural remains and archaeological evidence offers different ways of exploring Palenzuela side by side.

Traditions

The Baile del Lazo takes place near the hermitage on the road to the bridge over the Arlanza River. At the Feria de la Cebolla Horcal in Palenzuela, dishes made with this variety of onion are sampled on a day of festivities.

The following destinations are also available in the same broader area: Barrio de San Pedro, Herrera De Valdecañas, Palencia, Barrios de la Vega, Astudillo, Vidrieros, Villada and Santa Olaja de la Vega.

Getting There

The CN-622 national road leads from Lerma and Peral de Arlanza towards Palenzuela and from there continues towards Quintana del Puente, where it joins the Autovía de Castilla A-62.

For the overview of the wider area: Palencia.