Ecotourism 05. The Area North of Valladolid in Spain. Tierra de Campos

et 

ecotourism 

COUNTRY 

TERRITORIAL 

MUSEUM 

IN SPAIN 

THE AREA NORTH OF 

VALLADOLID 

TIERRA DE CAMPOS 

#et05 

Ecotourism 1

#et05 

Spain 

Other magazines of interest 

2 Ecotourism

CONTENTS 

nº 05 

The Area North of Valladolid 

Tierra de Campos 

STAFF 

[Edited by] CM 

[Published by] SH 

[International] JAS 

[Commercial department] 

CM / PGR 

[Webmaster] fix-si.com 

[Translation] Susan Mitchell 

[Photos] 

[Cover photo] 

Pigeon-house in Bolaños de Campos 

(Valladolid, Spain) 

© MOLINA Y GUZMÁN 

04. TIERRA DE CAMPOS the 

ancient Gothic Plains of the Visigoths 

(Campi Gothici or Campi Gothorum), 

makes up an evocative landscape of 

wide horizons. 

08. COUNTRY TERRITORIAL 

MUSEUM The whole of the Tierra de 

Campos district at becoming a cultural 

theme park. 

10. SPANISH MOORISH ART The 

cultural heritage includes some appealing 

Spanish Mudejar monuments. 

14. FOLK ARCHITECTURE The 

pigeon-house has been recovered for 

breeding pigeons. 

18. BIRDWATCHING The extensive 

landscape of Tierra de Campos is a 

great natural attraction. 

24. ROUTES Stone Columns, museums, 

rivers, nature, the Castilla 

canal, Pilgrim Way of Saint James and 

pigeon-houses. 

42. FESTIVALS, TRADITIONS 

AND GASTRONOMY Tierra de 

Campos has a varied cuisine based on 

its natural resources. 

44. PRACTICAL INFORMATION 

Internet links and Practical information 

to prepare your trip. 



Valladolid 

Traditional adobe pigeon-houses in Roales de Campos 


The Area North of Valladolid 


MOLINA Y GUZMÁN 

Tierra de Campos, the ancient Gothic 

Plains of the Visigoths (Campi Gothici 

or Campi Gothorum), makes up 

an evocative landscape of wide horizons 

which transmits peace and serenity to visitors 

to enjoy in a place where time has no 

importance. It is an ideal district for those 

in search of relaxation with pleasant and 

out of the ordinary sensations. Its heritage, 

nature, gastronomy and traditions are 

recommendations for visiting, completed 

by an attractive museum offer as well as the 

interpretation centres.. 

The Tierra de Campos district in the province 

of Valladolid has a singular beauty of its 

own, dominated by the contrasts and intensity 

of the colours. To the north and northeast 

it borders with the province of León; to 

the south with the municipal area of Medina 

de Rioseco (Valladolid); to the east with the 

province of Palencia and to the west with 

the province of Zamora. 

The territory is marked by small rural villages 

with an average number of inhabitants 

of 200 to 300. Villalón de Campos and 

Mayorga exceed this number of inhabitants 

with 2.000 and in Aguilar de Campos, Becilla 

de Valderaduey, Bolaños de Campos 

and La Unión de Campos the population is 

between 300 and 400 inhabitants. 14 villages 

have a population of fewer than 100 

inhabitants. The average density is low and 

barely reaches 8 inhabitants/km 2 . 

Tierra de Campos is characteristically made 

up of plains and farmland where cereal 

crops are grown and its economy is basically 

agricultural. 




INTERACTIVE MAP 

SPAIN 

To Valencia de Don Juan 

Roales de Campos 

Río Cea 

To Benavente 

N-610 

Castrobol 

Río Valderaduey 

N-601 

To León 

Dehesa de San Vicente 

Endemic Birdlif 

Interpretation C 

Monasterio de 

Game Interpretation 

C-621 

Centre 

Saelices de Mayorga 

Torre San 

viewpoin 

Mayorga Villalba 

Bread Museum de La Lo 

Castroponce de Valderaduey 

La Unión de Campos Becilla de 

Valderaduey 

Villavicencio de 

los Caballeros 

Quintanilla del Molar 

Urones de Castroponce 

Valdunquillo 

Bolaños de Campos 

Villamuriel de Campos 

Villagó 

Ce 

de 

Villalá 

Aguilar de 

Arroyo Ahogaborric 

Palazue 

Pork Pro 


TOWNS/VILLAGES IN TIERRA DE CAMPOS 

Torre de Santiago 

Viewpoint and observatory 

Melgar de Arriba 

e 

entre 

Vega 

N-601 

os 

Melgar de Abajo 

Berrueces 

To Valladolid 

To Villada 

Río Sequillo 

mez La Nueva Villanueva de La Condesa Viewpoint 

Astronomical viewpoint and observatory 

Bustillo and observatory Herrín de Campos 

de Chaves Villalón Museum of Farming of Yesteryear 

Calzado Vibot shoe museum 

Villacid de Campos Cheese Museum and 

el Abuelo Pigeon-house 

Museum of Religious Art 

Villafrades de Campos 

Cuenca de Campos 

N-610 

inos 

Lesser Kestrel 

Observation point 

Gatón de Campos 

Campos 

To Palencia 

n de Campos C-611 

Villabaruz de Campos 

lo de Vedija 

duce Museum 

Santervás de Campos 

Vega de Ruiponce 

Andrés 

Villacarralón 

ts 

Cabezón de Valderaduey 

ma 

Fontihoyuelo 


Moral de la Reina 

Tamariz de Campos 

Observatory of the Lagoon 

Canal de Castilla 

Villanueva de San Mancio 




Stone column in Mayorga 


Museum of the Countryside 

The whole of the Tierra de Campos 

district in the north of the province 

of Vallodolid aims at becoming 

a country territorial museum and a 

cultural theme park by means of small 

projects that boost the cultural life in 

the villages, on one hand promoting environmental 

education and on the other 

becoming a tourist attraction. 

The Bread Museum in Mayorga de 

Campos is the first of the initiatives of 

this type in Spain. It is housed in the 

San Juan church in Mayorga de Campos 

which has been rehabilitated for this 

purpose. The Cheese Museum in Villalón 

de Campos is housed in the old school 

buildings on the avenida del Parque, 

where you can see the cheese making 

processes of the world-famous cheese 

from Villalón called “pata de mulo” or 

mule’s foot from its beginnings through 

to present-day. 

You can also visit the Interpretation 

Centre of Pork Products in Palazuelo de 

Vedija, the Interpretation Centre of the 

endemic birdlife in Monasterio de Vega, 

the Interpretation Centre of Hunting 

in Saelices de Mayorga; as well as the 

Calzado Vibot shoe museum, “El Palomar 

del Abuelo” (Interpretation Centre 

of the pigeon-house) and the Farming 

of Yesteryear Exhibition in Villalón de 

Campos not forgetting the Museum of 

Religious Art in Cuenca de Campos. 

ADRI VN 

Additionally there are the viewpoints 

and observatories at Melgar de Arriba, 

Villanueva de la Condesa, Villalba de la 

Loma, Herrín de Campos, Cuenca de 

Campos and Tamariz de Campos. 




San Gervasio and San Protasio Church in Santervás de Campos 


Mudéjar (Spanish Moorish Art) 

Cultural heritage 

San Andrés Church in 

Aguilar de Campos 

ADRI VN 

ADRI VN 

The cultural heritage 

includes some appealing 

Spanish Mudejar 

monuments, the origins of 

this architectural style are 

here in this region. 

There is no town or village 

without an example of this 

architectural style and it is 

worth mentioning the monuments 

listed as Interesting 

Cultural Property: the church 

of San Andrés in Aguilar de 

Campos; and in Cuenca de 

Campos the church of San 

Justo y Pastor as well as the 

church of Santa María del 

Castillo which now houses 

the Ethnographic Museum 

and Exhibition Hall. 

There are also the church of 

San Miguel and the church 

of San Juan in Villalón de 

Campos with its coffered 

ceiling and recently restored 

altarpiece from the school 

of the master Palanquinos; 

in Mayorga you have the 

church of Santa María de 

Arbas; not forgetting the 

church of San Gervasio y 

San Protasio in Santervás 

de Campos with its unique 

Romanic-Spanish Moorish 

style. 




From the “miradores 

towers you 

ADRI VN 

The Spanish 


mudéjares” the Spanish-Moorish ancient church 

can see the whole of Tierra de Campos 

Moorish style tower and ruins of the church of San Pelayo in Villavicencio de los Caballeros 

ADRI VN 

Mudejar coffering of the church of St. Mary in Bolaños de Campos 

The magnificent collection 

of Spanish 

Moorish Mudejar 

coffered ceilings 

makes up 

a an exceptionally 

interesting 

chapter that 

includes 

some of 

the best the 

province has 

to offer like the 

ones at Cuenca 

de Campos, Ceinos 

de Campos, Cabezón de 

Valderaduey, Mayorga and 

Villalón de Campos. 

Just as attractive are the 

“miradores mudéjares” or 

the Moorish lookout points, 

ancient church towers strategically 

situated so from 

them you can see the whole 

of the countryside that 

makes up Tierra de Campos 

and on clear days you can 

even see the foothills of the 

Cantabrian Mountains to 

the north. 

The outstanding heritage in 

the district includes the Roman 

road and bridge at 

Becilla de Valderaduey, 

part of the itineraries that 

the Romans mapped over 

the length and width of the 

Spanish peninsula. 




ESTRELLA ANDRÉS 

Street in Villalón 


Civil and Folk Architecture 

El Cubo or tower in 

Villacid de Campos 

is the only structure 

remaining of the ancient 

fortress. In fact it was a 

watchtower you entered 

through a low arch with an 

ornamental frame. 

The Villagómez Palace Castle 

in Villagómez La Nueva 

is situated within the town. 

All that is left standing is the 

façade on which you can see 

the family coat of arms. 

Some of the ruins will also 

attract the attention of visitors 

like the Spanish Moorish 

style tower and ruins of 

the church of San Pelayo in 

Villavicencio de los Caballeros. 

the fourteenth and fifteenth 

centuries on the site of a 

Palace–Fortress dating from 

the eleventh and twelfth 

centuries, as you can still 

see from the arrow slit 

window dating from that 

period. 

There are also the ruins of 

the church of San Juan Bautista 

in Tamariz de Campos 

dating from the sixteenth 

century (1554) with the 

square stone tower, some 

brick walls and the Renaissance 

façade still standing. 

Finally, the ruins of the 

church of Santiago Apóstol 

in Melgar de Arriba, a Spanish 

Moorish building dating 

from the fifteenth century. 

ADRI VN 

Roman bridge in Becilla de Valderaduey 

The 

church 

was 

built 

between 

Museum of Religious Art in 


The place chosen to house 

the museum is the church of 

San Justo y Pastor, a Spanish 

Moorish building from 

the sixteenth century listed 

as an example of Interesting 

Cultural Property. The 

church which in itself is a 

museum of Spanish Moorish 

art has an extraordinary 

collection of religious 

art including polychrome 

wood sculptures distributed 

throughout the museum. 




The pigeon-hou 

one of th 

ADRI VN 

Traditional adobe pigeon-houses in 


se has been recovered for breeding pigeons, 

e star ingredients of the local cuisine 

ADRI VN 

Out of the folk architecture 

worth mentioning there 

are the traditional 

pigeon-houses, a 

typical feature on 

the cereal farmland, 

this type 

is unknown 

outside Castilla 

and León. 

The round or 

square pigeonhouses 

were 

originally built 

to supplement the 

family economy and 

although a lot of them 

are not in use now, more 

and more are being recovered 

for breeding pigeons that have become 

a star ingredient of the local cuisine. 

Additionally the pigeon droppings 

are an excellent natural fertilizer. 

There are huts that are rounded or circular 

designed without much thought to 

how they look and intended to keep farm 

implements in the countryside. 

The bodegas or wineries, in the vine 

growing areas, have mainly been dug out 

by hand using picks and shovels to make 

caves in the hillsides near the towns and 

villages. 

The colonnaded streets with arcades supported 

by stone columns like the ones at 

Cuenca de Campos and Villalón de Campos 

are also a typical feature. The streets 

in these places are wide and long, forming 

blocks with shopping streets around a 

main square or Plaza Mayor. 


Above, hut en Ceinos de Campos 




Great Bustard in Tierra de Campos 


Bird watching tourism in 


The plains or cereal farmland 

is attractive because of the 

evoking landscape of wide 

horizons which transmits peace and 

serenity for visitors to enjoy where 

time has no importance; this landscape 

of wide horizons generates 

a demand for those in search of 

relaxation with pleasant 

and out of the ordinary 

sensations. 

The extensive 

landscape of 

Tierra de 


is a great 

natural 

attraction, 

especially 

its bird life, 

consequently 

38% of the 

area has been 

included in the 

Red Natura 2000. 

So that you can get to 

know this natural wealth, Nature 

Interpretation Centres have been 

set up along with several different 

observatories and viewpoints. It is 

worth mentioning one of the first, 

the Bird Interpretation Centre at 

Monasterio de Vega. 

The centre forms part of the European 

TRINO project (Rural tourism 

and bird watching), set in motion 

by 14 local action groups from 

Castilla and León, where you can 

see the varied birdlife of the zone 

(Montagu’s harrier, great bustard, 

kestrels...)as well as the symbiosis 

between agriculture and nature. 

The Bird Interpretation Centre in 

Saelices de Mayorga forms part of 

the European Project for Tourism, 

rural planning and hunting 

called TORCAZ. Its 

aim is to transmit 

the idea that 

«hunting 

is a sustainable 

activity 

moving 

away 

from 

the 

black 

legend 

that has 

surrounded 

it» and 

how agriculture 

and farming 

contribute to improving 

the biodiversity. 

European bee-eater 

TRINO 

Additionally there are: the Observatory 

of the Tamariz de Campos 

lake; an astronomical viewpoint 

and observatory in Villanueva de La 

Condesa; the Lesser Kestrel Viewpoint 

in Cuenca de Campos; and 

the viewpoints at Torre de Santiago 

de Melgar de Arriba, the one at 

Torre de San Andrés in Villalba de 

La Loma and the one at Herrín de 

Campos. 

ADRI VN 




From the viewp 

small birds lik 

The Trino Project (Rural 

tourism and bird watching) 

is the plan of thirty Local Action 

Groups, it has promoted 

bird-watching tourism 

in these territories together 

with the towns and villages 

in the area. 

Different elements have 

been developed for birdwatching 

like the Bird 

Interpretation Centre in 

Monasterio de Vega, the Interpretation 

Centre of Hunting 

in Saelices de Mayorga 

as well as the Observatory 

of the Lagoon in Tamariz de 


In the area it is also worth 

mentioning a viewpoint and 

observatory for star gazing 

in Villanueva de la Condesa, 

the Lesser Kestrel Observation 

point at Cuenca de 

Campos, the Viewpoint de la 

Torre de Santiago in Melgar 

de Arriba, the Torre San 

Andrés viewpoint at Villalba 

de la Loma and viewpoint 

and observatory in Herrín de 

Campos. At almost all these 

places you can see birds 

of prey like kestrels, black 

kites and Montagu’s harriers; 

small birds like larks; or 

steppe birds like the little 

bustard, the great bustard 

and the black-bellied sandgrouse. 

TRINO 


oints you can see birds of prey like kestrels with 

e Calandra larks and Steppe birds like the great 

bustard and the little bustard 

Land of wolves 

In the territory of North Vallladolid, 

from Cooperation Project "WOLF: 

WildLife & Farmers", has done some 

work to make available to any interested 

hiking trails and points of interest 

related to the wolf, both the animal and 

wildlife related and uses livestock and 

customs related to it. The European 

Union’s Habitat Directive of 1992 established 

the wolf population south of the 

Duero as a species of EC interest, designating 

conservation zones in order to 

protect it. To the north of the Duero, the 

situation is very different, and the wolf 

is considered a game animal. 

In the last twenty years the wolf has 

come back to Tierra de Campos and it 

is surprising how this animal co-exists 

alongside humans and livestock, however 

the large mastiff dogs that keep 

the sheep put the wolves off attacking. 

So now in the twenty-first century we 

have this jewel of biodiversity that can 

be called “the Steppe wolf”. 

Little bustard 




ADRI VN 


Nature Areas 

This district in the province of Valladolid 

has six protected areas: Five SPAs 

(Special protection areas for birds) 

and one SCI (Sites of Community Importance). 

The Nava-Campos Norte (SPA). The landscape 

is mainly flat or slightly undulating 

(at 700 metres) practically unforested and 

mainly used for growing cereal crops. Several 

rivers and streams run through here. 

La Nava-Campos Sur (SPA). The relief is 

flat or slightly undulating (the elevations 

are below 800 metres) and with marked 

deforestation, mainly used for unirrigated 

cereal crops. It is worth mentioning a group 

of small steppe type lakes. 

Oteros-Cea (SPA). On the right bank of the 

Cea river. The whole area is lowland (700 

-800 metres). There are small seasonal lakes 

which have some interest for water birds. 

Penillanuras-Campos Norte (SPA). Between 

the Cea and Valderaduey rivers. You can find 

some seasonal steppe type lakes. 

Penillanuras-Campos Sur (SPA). A small 

area in the province of Valladolid between 

the Cea and Valderaduey rivers. A series of 

streams form small valleys where there are 

some poplar groves. 

Ribera del Río Cea (SCI). The area includes 

and is marked out by the river and takes in 

25 metres along each bank on both sides. 

Canal de Castilla 




The Vítor Festival in Mayorga 


Routes through Tierra de Campos North Valladolid 

CARLOS GONZÁLEZ XIMÉNEZ 




San Andrés Church, Aguilar de Campos 


Route of the 

Stone Columns (Rollos) 

ALFREDO MIGUEL ROMERO 

Rollos Jurisdiccionales in Spanish, the 

word “rollo” comes from the Latin 

“rotulus” which means cylindrical, referring 

to the stone columns that are symbols 

of nobility and jurisdiction and a sign 

that in the town justice was administrated 

in the name of the Crown. 

Later they were used as public pillories 

where convicts were shamed. The 1812 

Constitution decreed that all the symbols of 

vassalage had to be removed. An order that 

was repeated during the Second Republic. 

The columns that remain standing (acts of 

civil disobedience because they were not 

destroyed) have been listed as artistic historic 

heritage. 

The outstanding columns in Tierra de Campos 

include the Flamboyant Gothic column 

in Villalón de Campos dating from 1523; the 

column in Mayorga from 1426 built in Isabelline 

Gothic style; the column in Aguilar 

de Campos in Gothic Mudejar style from the 

end of the sixteenth century; and finally the 

column in Bolaños de Campos, probably the 

most primitive in the province of Valladolid. 

One of the most famous of these stone 

columns in Spain stands in the centre of the 

Plaza Mayor. 




Endemic Birdlife 

Interpretation Centre 

Monasterio de Vega 






Hunting Interpretation 

Centre 

Mayorga de Campos 

Bread Museum 

Castrobol 

Río Cea 

Route along 

the Banks of 

the Cea river 


Route along the Banks 

of the Cea river 

In fact this route is made 

up of ten easy itineraries 

for you to enjoy the 

riverbank landscapes of the 

CEA river. It is one of the 

most complete and extensive 

paths through Tierra 

de Campos with a few outstanding 

landmarks worth 

mentioning. 

Between Melgar de Arriba 

and Melgar de Abajo you will 

discover the river woodland 

and the Zamorana ravine. 

On route from Melgar de 

Arriba to Páramo, our destination, 

besides the simple 

pleasure of walking, you 

can see steppe birds including 

the great bustard, also 

present between Melgar 

de Abajo and Monasterio 

de Vega and Santervás de 


From Monasterio de Vega 

we can go on to Saelices de 

Mayorga where there is an 

lovely area of pigeon-houses 

or along to Dehesa de la Aldea 

to the Rebollar lake and 

an ancient oak tree. 

From Saelices de Mayorga 

you can go to Mayorga 

where you follow the 

riverside woodland where 

there are birds like herons 

or mallards, or continue on 

to Izagre to see the fauna 

associated with the stream 

through the Izagre valley, 

the longest affluent of the 

Cea river. 

Finally, from Mayorga to 

Castrobol where you can visit 

the Molino farm and walk 

along the Cañada Zamorana 

ravine. 

MÓNICA TRISTÁN 

Cea River, Monasterio de Vega 




The vast extensions of 

the cereal farmland 

in Tierra de Campos 

is dotted with some original 

and beautiful examples 

of traditional architecture 

made of local clay ideal for 

making adobe and mud 

walls. 

And one of the most important 

instances of this kind of 

folk architecture is the traditional 

adobe pigeon-houses 

where the birds live. 


Bread Museum 

The variety is the common 

denominator of this route, 

with square, rectangular, 

horseshoe-shaped, cylindrical 

pigeon-houses, with or 

without patios, ornamented 

or not, etc… 

Two kinds of pigeons live in 

the pigeon-houses: the feral 

pigeon (Columba livia) and 

the stock dove (Columba 

oenas). 


As well as Tierra de Campos 

this route also goes through 

Palencia, Zamora and the 

North of Portugal, the idea 

is that visitors do not only 

go to the places where they 

can see these constructions 

but also to where there are 

other artistic and cultural 

elements along the way. 









Centre 



Villalba de La Loma 


Torre San Andrés 

viewpoints 

Fontihoyuelo 

Viewpoint 

Villanueva de La Condesa and observatory 

Astronomical viewpoint Herrín de Campos 

and observatory 

Becilla de Valderaduey 

Museum of 

Villalón Farming of Yesteryear 

Villacid de Campos de Campos Calzado Vibot shoe museum 

Cheese Museum and 

el Abuelo Pigeon-house Villafrades de Campos 

Villavicencio de 

los Caballeros 

Transnational 

route of 

the pigeon-houses 


Transnational route of 

the pigeon-houses 

Pingeon-house, Villalón Campos 

HÉCTOR APARICIO 







Route of 

the Bird 

Hotspots 

and 

Observatories 

Astronomical viewpoint 


Villanueva de La Condesa 

Herrín de Campos 

Viewpoint 






Observatory of the Lagoon 


Route of the Bird Hotspots 

and Observatories 

JOSÉ CARLOS DÍAZ 

Lesser kestrel observation point in Cuenca de Campos 

The Bird Route in Tierras 

de Campos follows 

two paths that 

are well signposted to guide 

you along the tracks so that 

you can appreciate and see 

the species you will find on 

route. 

The first route runs through 

the municipal area of Melgar 

de Arriba where you can 

see western marsh harrier, 

mallards, lesser kestrels, 

bustards and grey herons, to 

mention a few. 

You have to go to Cuenca de 

Campos to start the second 

route, where there is a viewpoint 

where you can watch 

the local colony of lesser 

kestrels. This itinerary also 

runs through the municipal 

area of Villabruz de Campos. 

Castilla and León has 17 

interesting bird-watching 

routes through nature areas 

where you can also see 

other fauna, you can fulfill 

your expectations relatively 

easily if you pick the right 

time of year. 

You have to hold in mind 

that the species may vary 

from winter to spring. 

The great bustard is queen 

of the cereal farmland, at 

0.9 metres high, a metre 

long and with a wingspan 

of two metres, its weight of 

over 18 kilos makes it the 

heaviest bird in the world 

that can fly. 

Out of the many birds it is 

worth mentioning the little 

bustard. The lesser kestrel 

becomes a habitual resident 

in spring, the same as the 

black kite. You can also see 

other interesting raptors. 




Route of the 

Museums 

Museum of Farming of Yesteryear in Villalón de Campos 

To Valencia de Don Juan 

N-601 

To León 




To Sahagún 

ADRI VN 

C-621 



Centre 

Mayorga 

Bread Museum 

Route of 

the Museums 

To Villada 

Museum of Farming 

of Yesteryear 

Villalón 




To Benavente 

N-610 





N-601 

C-611 

N-610 

To Palencia 

Pork Produce Museum 

Palazuelo de Vedija 

To Valladolid 


Calzado Vibot shoe museum in Villalón de Campos 

ADRI VN 

This route includes 

the most attractive 

museums and interpretation 

centres in the 

district. The Bread Museum 

in Mayorga de Campos is 

the first of its kind in Spain. 

It is housed in the church 

of San Juan de Mayorga de 

Campos, which has been 

specifically rehabilitated to 

do this. 

The Cheese Making Museum 

in Villalón de Campos 

is housed in the buildings of 

the old schools in avenida 

del Parque. 

Additionally you can visit 

the Interpretation Centre of 

Pork Products in Palazuelo 

de Vedija, the Endemic 

Birdlife Interpretation Centre 

in Monasterio de Vega, 

the Hunting Interpretation 

Centre in Saelices de Mayorga; 

as well as the Calzado 

Vibot shoe museum, “El 

Palomar del Abuelo” is the 

Interpretation Centre of 

the pigeon-houses and the 

Farming of Yesteryear Exhibition 

in Villalón de Campos 

not forgetting the Museum 

of Religious Art in Cuenca de 


Bread Museum. Mayorga 

Tel. +34 983 751 625 

Hunting Interpretation Centre. 


Town Hall. +34 987 785 143 

Endemic Birdlife Interpretation 

Centre in Monasterio 

de Vega. 

Town Hall. +34 987 785 151 

Cheese Museum and el 

Abuelo Pigeon-house. Villalón 

de Campos 

Town Hall. +34 983 740 011 

Calzado Vibot shoe museum. 

Villalón de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 740 213 

Museum of Farming of Yesteryear. 


Tel. +34 983 740 951 


Cuenca de Campos in the 

parish church of the Saints 

Justo and Pastor 

Tel. +34 983 740 479 / 

+34 645 127 866 

Pork Produce Museum 


Town Hall. +34 983 700 025 




AlBERTO TOTXO 

Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Berrueces 


Pilgrim Way of Saint James to 

Santiago 

Sahagún 

Melgar 

de Arriba 



Pilgrim Way of 

Saint James 

to Santiago 

Museum of Farming 

of Yesteryear 






Observation point Observatory of 

the Lagoon 


Berrueces 


Fontihoyuelo 


Villalón 

de Campos 


Other 

option 

Medina de 

Rioseco 

This is one of the main 

stretches of the pilgrim 

way. 

The stretch through Tierra 

de Campos goes through 

Berrueces (landmarks: 

Church of San Pedro Apóstol, 

the hermitage of Virgen 

de Pedrosa and the pigeonhouses 

in the surrounding 

area); Moral de la Reina 

(the church of Santa María, 

tower and ruins of the 

church of San Juan); Cuenca 

de Campos (the church of 

Santa María del Castillo– 

Museum of Religious Art, 

the church of Santos Justo 

y Pastor–Parish Museum, 

Monastery of the Claras and 

Hermitage of San Bernardino); 

Villalón de Campos (the 

stone Column, church of San 

Miguel, church of San Juan 

Bautista, hermitage dedicated 

to Our Lady of Fountains); 

Fontihoyuelo (church 

of San Salvador); Santervás 

de Campos, birthplace of 

the Conquistador Ponce de 

León (church of the martyrs 

Gervasio and San Protasio); 

and finally Melgar de Arriba 

(church of San Miguel and 

the church of Santiago). 

There is an alternative 

route by accessing Cuenca 

de Campos directly from 

Medina de Rioseco through 

Tamariz de Campos. 




ESTRELLA ANDRÉS 


Not to be missed 

Plazas Mayores 

One of the characteristic 

elements of folk architecture 

in Castilla and Leon are 

the plazas mayors or main 

squares. They are open 

spaces framed by arcades 

supported by stone columns 

which form arcaded shopping 

streets. The plaza or 

square also had other uses 

as well as the usual urban 

functions, popular uses 

like markets, political acts, 

religious (acts of faith) and 

festivals (bullfights). 

The Castilla canal 

Rollo: Flamboyant Gothic column in Villalón de Campos 

The Castilla canal cuts 

through the district from 

north to south, a great work 

of hydraulic engineering 

from the eighteenth and 

nineteenth centuries, it 

runs along 207 kilometres 

through the provinces of 

Palencia, Burgos and Valladolid, 

divided in three 

branches. It was built to 

transport wheat to the ports 

in the north by towed river 

transport (barges towed by 

horses and beasts of burden), 

the Campos branch 

goes through Villanueva de 

San Mancio and Tamariz de 





JUAN BLANCO 

Roman road and bridge in 


The Iberian network of Roman 

roads mentions the one 

that runs along the Duero 

valley from Astúrica Augusta 

(Astorga) to Caesar Augusta 

(Zaragoza), crossing the 

plateau through this district 

with remains in Becilla de 

Valderaduey and the only 

Roman bridge in the province 

of Valladolid stretching 

over the river together with 

parts of the Roman road, 

declared to be of Cultural 

Interest. 

Mudejar or Spanish 

Moorish art 

There are many churches in 

Spanish Moorish Mudejar 

art style in the north of the 

province of Valladolid. As 

an example we can mention 

the church of Santa María de 

Arbás in Mayorga. Declared 

to be an Artistic Historic 

Monument, it is one of the 

best examples of Mudejar 

art in the district. The building 

with its two naves was 

built in the fifteenth century 

with a door that opens in a 

horseshoe arch. 


Roman road and bridge in Becilla de Valderaduey 




Paloteo dance in Herrín de Campos 

ADRI VN 

Festivals and 

Traditions 

Three towns in the district 

have had their Holy Week 

celebrations declared to be 

of Provincial Tourist Interest: 

Cuenca de Campos, Villalón 

de Campos and Villavicencio 

de los Caballeros. 

The Vítor festival in Mayorga. 

This festival has been 

declared to be of Spanish 

Tourist Interest and there 

has been a torch lit procession 

commemorating the 

relics of Santo Toribio every 

27th September since 1737. 

Mayorga also celebrates 

their Trovadas and Habaneras 

famous song festival on 

the last weekend in July. 

The Provincial Market in 

Villalón de Campos also attracts 

many visitors on the 

second weekend in June 

commemorating when 

King Fernando III granted 

the town the right to hold a 

market in 1250. 

It is also worth mentioning 

the Paloteo dance, a folk 

dance with sticks or poles, 

in Villafrades de Campos 

and the Auto sacramental, a 

kind of morality or passion 

play in Herrín de Campos, 

La Corderada, a Nativity 

play enacted on Christmas 

Eve in Castroponce de Valderaduey. 


Festivals and Gastronomy 

Without a doubt it is worth 

mentioning out of the 

summer festivals the Spanish 

festival of Alternative 

Theatre in Urones de Castroponce 

during the second 

fortnight of August. 

Gastronomy 

Tierra de Campos has a 

varied cuisine based on its 

natural resources that have 

conditioned a cuisine and 

food products that mix craft 

and tradition with the creativity 

and originality of the 

local people. 

White Bread. Very fresh 

bread, soft and white inside 

with a crispy crust, made 

with a special kind of local 

wheat flour. 

Pata de Mulo or cheese 

from Villalón. The cereal 

farmland is a great grazing 

area for sheep and the result 

is magnificent ewes’ milk 

cheeses, the Pata de Mulo 

or cheese from Villalón is an 

excellent example because 

of its tradition and fame. 

Pigeons or young doves 

from Nidal. The traditional 

pigeon-houses hold a delicious 

delicacy inside the 

mud walls. The stock doves 

and pigeons are a quality 

product that until relatively 

recently were only for their 

own use. 

Suckling lamb from Castilla 

and León. The Geographical 

Indication (GI) was created 

to protect the quality and 

also to guarantee the origin 

of the products, certifying 

that the meat comes from 

lambs of Churra, Castilian 

and Ojalada breeds exclusively 

fed on ewes’ milk. 

Sausages, cooked meats 

and hams. Thanks to the climate 

this district has always 

had a tradition of cooked 

meats; spicy sausages, pork 

loin, chorizo and salami type 

sausage called salchichon 

are unforgettable starters. 

Castilian or small grey lentils 

from Tierra de Campo. This 

pulse vegetable, because 

of its special characteristics 

of size, taste and flavour, 

makes a simple dish of lentils 

a pleasure with its own 

name. It has its own Geographical 

Indication (GI). 

Wines from Tierra de León. 

This district comes under 

the denomination of origin 

and quality of “Vino de la 

Tierra de León” that due to 

the prieto picudo red wine 

grape produces good value 

wine. 

Other delicacies. You should 

also try the sparkling wine, 

made using craft methods; 

Castilian cheese made with 

pasteurized ewes’ milk; 

doughnuts dipped in egg to 

make them shiny and golden; 

olive oil buns, round, flat 

bread loaves; pork scratchings; 

fried cakes called 

orejuelas, typical during the 

carnival; and finally buns 

dedicated to Our Lady of 

Fountains that are eaten in 

Villalón de Campos in September. 



North of Valladolid 

Webs 

Audio-guides in Spanish 


Villavicencio de los Caballeros 

Bola 



Mel 

Audio-guides in Spanish 

in Youtube. 


INTERNET LINKS 

01. LANDSCAPES AND NATURE 

Observe the beauty of the landscapes 

and nature of Tierra de Campos. Not 

everything is dry and yellow in Castilla 

and León. 

02. RURAL TOURISM Are you in 

need of a weekend break? In Tierra de 

Campos you can enjoy direct contact 

with the nature 

03. GASTRONOMY The Tierra de 

Campos cuisine mixes craft and tradition 

with the creativity and originality of the 

local people. 

ños de Campos 

04. CULTURAL HERITAGE It also 

offers a great artistic wealth with stately 

buildings and churches that have seen 

the pass of centuries. 

05. NATURAL HERITAGE An 

extensive and beautiful heritage where 

they are trying to keep the birdlife for 

future generations. 

gar de Abajo 

06. VILLAGES Discover the beauty of 

the villages and small towns in Tierra de 

Campos. The wealth of the local people, 

their customs and culture. 

07. ROUTES Discover the most beautiful 

routes through Tierra de Campos. 

Places full of history, landscapes and 

monuments. 

08. AMENITIES 

09. INTERNET LINKS 




Information 

ADRI Valladolid Norte 

Avda. del Parque, 10 

47600 Villalón de Campos 

(Valladolid) 

Tel. +34 983 761 145 

adrivall@tierradecampos.com 

www.tierradecampos.com 

www.naturcampos.com 

OT Mayorga. Panera de 

San Juan. Ctra, de Sahagún, 

47. Tel. +34 983 752 027 

OT Villalón de Campos 

C/ Rabanal, 4. 

Tel. +34 983 761 185 

Town Halls 

Mancomunidad Zona Norte 

Tel. +34 983 741 039 

Aguilar de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 730 001 


Tel. +34 983 746 001 

Berrueces 

Tel. +34 983 700 002 


Tel. +34 983 757 101 

Bustillo de Chaves 

Tel. +34 983 740 027 

Cabezón de Valderaduey 

Tel. +34 983 756 062 

Castroponce de 

Valderaduey 

Tel. +34 983 756 101 

Ceinos de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 760 001 


Tel. +34 983 740 006 

Fontihoyuelo 

Tel. +34 983 741 161 


Tel. +34 983 760 401 


Tel. +34 983 740 963 


Tel. +34 983 751 003 


Tel. +34 983 785 041 


Tel. +34 983 785 003 


Tel. +34 983 785 151 


Tel. +34 983 710 001 


Tel. +34 983 700 025 

Quintanillla del Molar 

Tel. +34 980 666 436 

Roales de Campos 

Tel. +34 980 665 006 


Tel. +34 983 785 143 


Tel. +34 983 785 196 

La Unión de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 754 101 


Tel. +34 983 754 202 

Valdunquillo 

Tel. +34 983 754 301 

Vega de Ruiponce 

Tel. +34 987 785 181 


Tel. +34 983 740 435 

Villacid de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 740 002 

Villafrades de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 740 488 

Villagómez La Nueva 

Tel. +34 983 756 006 

Villalán de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 757 301 


Tel. +34 983 740 011 

Villamuriel de Campos 

Tel. +34 983 716 151 


Tel. +34 983 756 111 


Tel. +34 983 757 201 

Accommodation 

Casa Rural El Cantón 


Tel. +34 983746019 

CTR La Huerta Mantilla 


Tel. +34 983757302 

http://www.lahuertamantilla.com 

Albergue 


Tel. +34 983740006 


Practical information 

to prepare your trip 

CTR Bodega la Tata 


Tel. +34 983761131 

http://www.ctrlatata.com 

CTR Los Oficios 


Tel. +34 983760442 

http://www.casarurallosoficios.com 

HRte el Madrileño 


Tel. +34 983751039 

http://www.hotelmadrileño.com 

Casa Rural La Huerta 


Tel. +34 983303301 

CTR Fuerte San Mauricio 


Tel. +34 983701910 

http://bit.ly/13Qwovf 

Albergue 


CTR Quinta del Canal 


Tel. +34 983760423 

http://www.quintadelcanal.com 

Albergue 


Tel. +34 983740011 

Casa Rural El Encuentro 


Tel. +34 983740767 

http://bit.ly/1orbI68 

HRte Casa Peña 


Tel. +34 983740233 

HR La Venta del Alón 


Tel. +34 983740951 

http://www.ventadelalon.es 

PRte Becares 


Tel. +34 983740167 

CTR Rincón de Doña Inés 


Tel. +34 983756067, Mov. 

+34 679077055 

http://www.rinconines.com 

La Posada del Canal 

Villanueva de San Mancio 

Tel. +34 983700705, Mov. 

+34 610521204 

http://bit.ly/13Qxg33 

Hotel Rural La Hidalga 


Tel. +34 983757069 

Restaurants 

Buenavista 

Tel. +34 983746110 


La Huerta Mantilla 

Tel. +34 983757302 


La Fortaleza 

Tel. +34 983756003 

Castroponce de Valderaduey 

Ceinos 

Tel. +34 983760014 

Ceinos de Campos 

La Tata. 

Tel. +34 983761131 

Los Oficios 

Tel. +34 983760442 


El Madrileño 

Tel. +34 983751039 

El Arco 

Tel. +34 983751127 

Santa Ana 

Tel. +34 983751598 


Casa Peña 

Tel. +34 983740233 

PRte Becares 

Tel. +34 983740167 

Lalo 

Tel. +34 983740762 


El Rincón de Doña Inés 

Tel. +34 983756067 

Villanueva de la Condesa 

Escudero 

Tel. +34 983757427 


Attention: All the links in 

the magazine take you to 

pages in Spanish

Ecotourism 05. The Area North of Valladolid in Spain. Tierra de Campos

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