Valladolid

VALLADOLID

We have made two trips to the city of Valladolid.  It is an exceptionally beautiful city about two hours from Madrid.  We went about 6 weeks ago with the Deschamps, and loved it so much we decided to make another trip there alone about two weeks ago.  The main attraction there is an incredible cathedral, and an amazing sculpture museum.  I'm so happy that we returned because, as it turned out, I lost most of my pictures from the first trip.  I was working on this post at the time my computer bit the dust.  However, since then I got a great camera, and am really happy with the pictures I got the second time around.  So in this post are pictures with my old camera and pictures with my new camera.

The outskirts of Madrid.

On the way out of Madrid we pass this unusual building under construction. Just had to take a shot.  The whole building looks about 10 feet wide, and you can see right through it.

Spain is the rockiest country I've seen!

On our second trip to Valladolid, we saw our first snow storm in Spain.

 

Arevalo, along the way.

The name of this hotel was worth a picture. I can relate to it at times.  
With the Spanish language spoken backwards, often translation loses it meaning.

This is Castle Coca.  It was built by the Arabs and taken over by the Christians in the reconquest.

We visited a lot of castles on this trip, but I lost most of the pictures.

Part of the old city wall of Coca.

Ive been told that there are over 1000 castles in Spain.  I believe it.

Penafiel Castle

We stayed at a really nice hotel that used to be a monastery.
A pretty river ran along the back of the hotel

Randy and Sylvia Deschamps

Very fun travel buddies.

This old church is pretty neat, but is not the main church.

Yet another beautiful church.  But not the main one.

Lots of ruins as part of the old church.

A tree growing out of the side of the church.

Another great church but not the main one.

Back to the ruins.

This guy, Cervantes,  is really loved by the Spanish people.

Streets surrounding the church.

Its a very colorful and pretty city.

I think this is City Hall.

OK, this is THE cathedral that the city is famous for.

It is intricately carved from top to bottom, and absolutely amazing.

Columns in front of the cathedral.

I can never resist a group of senior citizens walking around
the cities with their canes and walkers.  They look a little like us.

This is the entrance to the sculpture museum.  It has the same
beautifully carved architecture as the cathedral.

This magnificent building is worth a visit, even if the sculptures were not inside.

A window in the museum.

I love this museum so much.  90% or more of the contents are carved out of wood
and painted with many layers of paint.  Most of them are circa 15th to 17th century.

This choir stall is 1497

I have no idea.

The building that houses the museum is spectacular.

All of the ceilings were incredible.

This statue has real teeth in his mouth, I think.

A look at the detailed carving.

Choir stalls

This was right before the guard came to escort him out for putting his hands on priceless artifacts.

One of my favorites.  I could have spent hours looking at this.  They are all life size.

Platform shoes are nothing new.

Something about this one that really touches me.  I think it's my favorite.

I think this statue is about 8 feet tall.

This was amazing and all characters were at least life size.

I love this guy's face.

He is such a ham.  I love this guy, but you just can't take him anywhere.

We are consumed with the short doors over here.

This is an exhibit of an 18th century Belen.

I wish I had my brother Sam's skills with the camera.  I still can't figure out how to photograph in low light, and behind glass.  You'll just have to take my word for it, that this was amazing.

I believe that this is the date of the Belen, 1765.

I'm always amazed at the floors and sidewalks, and streets where so much time
and effort was made  to create something beautiful to walk on.

No great outing is complete without churros and chocolate.

It was perfect!

These little cars can park anywhere.

I'm afraid I must report that Spanish food is really the pits.  No  Americans here like the stuff.  Fortunately, there are plenty of good Mexican, Chinese, Italian and American restaurants.  While in Valladolid we found a great Italian place.  It was so good that we went there on both trips and ordered the same thing.

A couple of happy diners.

Valladolid is a wonderful city and I give it a big fat 10!