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.
Ecotourism 3

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Traditional adobe pigeon-houses in Roales de Campos
4 Ecotourism

The Area North of Valladolid
Tierra de Campos
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.
Ecotourism 5

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
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
6 Ecotourism

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
Campos
Moral de la Reina
Tamariz de Campos
Observatory of the Lagoon
Canal de Castilla
Villanueva de San Mancio
Ecotourism 7

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Stone column in Mayorga
8 Ecotourism

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.
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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.
Ecotourism 9

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
San Gervasio and San Protasio Church in Santervás de Campos
10 Ecotourism

Mudéjar (Spanish Moorish Art)
Cultural heritage
San Andrés Church in
Aguilar de Campos
ADRI VN
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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.
Ecotourism 11

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
From the “miradores
towers you
ADRI VN
The Spanish
12 Ecotourism

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
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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.
Ecotourism 13

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
ESTRELLA ANDRÉS
Street in Villalón
14 Ecotourism

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
Cuenca de Campos
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.
Ecotourism 15

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
The pigeon-hou
one of th
ADRI VN
Traditional adobe pigeon-houses in
16 Ecotourism

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.
Melgar de Abajo
Above, hut en Ceinos de Campos
Ecotourism 17

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Great Bustard in Tierra de Campos
18 Ecotourism

Bird watching tourism in
Tierra de Campos
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
Campos
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
Ecotourism 19

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
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
Campos.
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
20 Ecotourism

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
Ecotourism 21

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
ADRI VN
22 Ecotourism

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
Ecotourism 23

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
The Vítor Festival in Mayorga
24 Ecotourism

Routes through Tierra de Campos North Valladolid
CARLOS GONZÁLEZ XIMÉNEZ
Ecotourism 25

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
San Andrés Church, Aguilar de Campos
26 Ecotourism

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.
Ecotourism 27

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Endemic Birdlife
Interpretation Centre
Monasterio de Vega
Torre de Santiago
Viewpoint and observatory
Melgar de Arriba
Melgar de Abajo
Saelices de Mayorga
Hunting Interpretation
Centre
Mayorga de Campos
Bread Museum
Castrobol
Río Cea
Route along
the Banks of
the Cea river
28 Ecotourism

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
Campos.
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
Ecotourism 29

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
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.
Mayorga de Campos
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).
Bolaños de Campos
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.
Torre de Santiago
Viewpoint and observatory
Melgar de Arriba
Endemic Birdlife
Interpretation Centre
Monasterio de Vega
Melgar de Abajo
Hunting Interpretation
Centre
Santervás de Campos
Saelices de Mayorga
Villalba de La Loma
Villacarralón
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
30 Ecotourism

Transnational route of
the pigeon-houses
Pingeon-house, Villalón Campos
HÉCTOR APARICIO
Ecotourism 31

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Melgar de Arriba
Torre de Santiago
Viewpoint and observatory
Route of
the Bird
Hotspots
and
Observatories
Astronomical viewpoint
and observatory
Villanueva de La Condesa
Herrín de Campos
Viewpoint
and observatory
Lesser Kestrel
Observation point
Cuenca de Campos
Tamariz de Campos
Observatory of the Lagoon
32 Ecotourism

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.
Ecotourism 33

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
Route of the
Museums
Museum of Farming of Yesteryear in Villalón de Campos
To Valencia de Don Juan
N-601
To León
Endemic Birdlife
Interpretation Centre
Monasterio de Vega
To Sahagún
ADRI VN
C-621
Saelices de Mayorga
Hunting Interpretation
Centre
Mayorga
Bread Museum
Route of
the Museums
To Villada
Museum of Farming
of Yesteryear
Villalón
Calzado Vibot shoe museum
Cheese Museum and
el Abuelo Pigeon-house
To Benavente
N-610
Cuenca de Campos
Lesser Kestrel
Observation point
Museum of Religious Art
N-601
C-611
N-610
To Palencia
Pork Produce Museum
Palazuelo de Vedija
To Valladolid
34 Ecotourism

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
Campos.
Bread Museum. Mayorga
Tel. +34 983 751 625
Hunting Interpretation Centre.
Saelices de Mayorga
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.
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983 740 951
Museum of Religious Art
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
Palazuelo de Vedija
Town Hall. +34 983 700 025
Ecotourism 35

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
AlBERTO TOTXO
Church of San Pedro Apóstol in Berrueces
36 Ecotourism

Pilgrim Way of Saint James to
Santiago
Sahagún
Melgar
de Arriba
Torre de Santiago
Viewpoint and observatory
Pilgrim Way of
Saint James
to Santiago
Museum of Farming
of Yesteryear
Calzado Vibot shoe museum
Cheese Museum and
el Abuelo Pigeon-house
Museum of Religious Art
Lesser Kestrel
Observation point Observatory of
the Lagoon
Moral de la Reina
Berrueces
Santervás de Campos
Fontihoyuelo
Cuenca de Campos
Villalón
de Campos
Tamariz 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.
Ecotourism 37

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
ESTRELLA ANDRÉS
38 Ecotourism

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
Campos.
Ecotourism 39

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
JUAN BLANCO
Roman road and bridge in
Becilla de Valderaduey
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.
40 Ecotourism

Roman road and bridge in Becilla de Valderaduey
Ecotourism 41

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
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.
42 Ecotourism

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.
Ecotourism 43

Tierra de Campos
North of Valladolid
Webs
Audio-guides in Spanish
Villalón de Campos
Villavicencio de los Caballeros
Bola
Herrín de Campos
Urones de Castroponce
Mel
Audio-guides in Spanish
in Youtube.
44 Ecotourism

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
Ecotourism 45

Tierra de Campos
Valladolid
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
Becilla de Valderaduey
Tel. +34 983 746 001
Berrueces
Tel. +34 983 700 002
Bolaños de Campos
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
Cuenca de Campos
Tel. +34 983 740 006
Fontihoyuelo
Tel. +34 983 741 161
Gatón de Campos
Tel. +34 983 760 401
Herrín de Campos
Tel. +34 983 740 963
Mayorga de Campos
Tel. +34 983 751 003
Melgar de Abajo
Tel. +34 983 785 041
Melgar de Arriba
Tel. +34 983 785 003
Monasterio de Vega
Tel. +34 983 785 151
Moral de la Reina
Tel. +34 983 710 001
Palazuelo de Vedija
Tel. +34 983 700 025
Quintanillla del Molar
Tel. +34 980 666 436
Roales de Campos
Tel. +34 980 665 006
Saelices de Mayorga
Tel. +34 983 785 143
Santervás de Campos
Tel. +34 983 785 196
La Unión de Campos
Tel. +34 983 754 101
Urones de Castroponce
Tel. +34 983 754 202
Valdunquillo
Tel. +34 983 754 301
Vega de Ruiponce
Tel. +34 987 785 181
Villacarralón
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
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983 740 011
Villamuriel de Campos
Tel. +34 983 716 151
Villanueva de La Condesa
Tel. +34 983 756 111
Villavicencio de los Caballeros
Tel. +34 983 757 201
Accommodation
Casa Rural El Cantón
Becilla de Valderaduey
Tel. +34 983746019
CTR La Huerta Mantilla
Bolaños de Campos
Tel. +34 983757302
http://www.lahuertamantilla.com
Albergue
Cuenca de Campos
Tel. +34 983740006
46 Ecotourism

Practical information
to prepare your trip
CTR Bodega la Tata
Cuenca de Campos
Tel. +34 983761131
http://www.ctrlatata.com
CTR Los Oficios
Gatón de Campos
Tel. +34 983760442
http://www.casarurallosoficios.com
HRte el Madrileño
Mayorga de Campos
Tel. +34 983751039
http://www.hotelmadrileño.com
Casa Rural La Huerta
Palazuelo de Vedija
Tel. +34 983303301
CTR Fuerte San Mauricio
Palazuelo de Vedija
Tel. +34 983701910
http://bit.ly/13Qwovf
Albergue
Santervás de Campos
CTR Quinta del Canal
Tamariz de Campos
Tel. +34 983760423
http://www.quintadelcanal.com
Albergue
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983740011
Casa Rural El Encuentro
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983740767
http://bit.ly/1orbI68
HRte Casa Peña
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983740233
HR La Venta del Alón
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983740951
http://www.ventadelalon.es
PRte Becares
Villalón de Campos
Tel. +34 983740167
CTR Rincón de Doña Inés
Villanueva de La Condesa
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
Villavicencio de los Caballeros
Tel. +34 983757069
Restaurants
Buenavista
Tel. +34 983746110
Becilla de Valderaduey
La Huerta Mantilla
Tel. +34 983757302
Bolaños de Campos
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
Gatón de Campos
El Madrileño
Tel. +34 983751039
El Arco
Tel. +34 983751127
Santa Ana
Tel. +34 983751598
Mayorga de Campos
Casa Peña
Tel. +34 983740233
PRte Becares
Tel. +34 983740167
Lalo
Tel. +34 983740762
Villalón de Campos
El Rincón de Doña Inés
Tel. +34 983756067
Villanueva de la Condesa
Escudero
Tel. +34 983757427
Villavicencio de los Caballeros
Attention: All the links in
the magazine take you to
pages in Spanish
Ecotourism 47

48 Ecotourism