VALLADOLID', a famous city of Spain, sometime capital of the whole country, and still capital of the province of the same name (see CASTILE), stands on a wide, wind blown plain on the left bank of the Pisuerga, 150 in. n.w. of Madrid by railway. It is 2,100 ft. above sea-level, and has a healthy climate, the air being pure and genial, and the sky generally cloudless. Having been the residence of the court prior to its removal to Madrid at the close of the 16th c., the city contains many large and decayed dwell ings; although, with the returning prosperity of the town, new mansions are being erected, and the streets are being paved, enlarged, and multiplied. In the plaza de Campo, the site of fatuous tournaments, autos-da-ft, decapitations, and bull-fights, Napo leon reviewed 35,000 troops. The plaza de Toros, or bull-arena, can accommodate 10,000 persons. The museo, which contains such of the statues, carvings, aud sculp tures as could be collected at the suppression of convents in the province, is an elegant building, containing a grand saloon, six rooms filled with pictures, and three with sculptures. Of these treasures, the sculptures are the most valuable, though among the pictures are several by Rubens. Near the palacio real (royal palace), are the remains of two of the noblest Gothic religious edifices in the world, the convent of San Pablo, and the Colegio de San Gregorio, both richly and beautifully decorated, but much damaged by the French soldiery. Valladolid is admirably situated for trade and manufactures.
There is abundant water for irrigation, and the surrounding district is remarkably fer tile. It communicates with the Atlantic by the Douro, and with the middle and south of Spain by canals and railways. Manufactures are springing up in the city; the soil in the vicinity is being improved by companies instituted for that purpose; and in other respects Valladolid gives tokens of revival. Silk, cotton, and woolen stuffs; jewelry, hats, paper, perfumery, etc., are manufactured. Pop. about 50,000.
Valladolid, the Pineia of Ptolemy. is first mentioned under its present name in 1072. Charles V. erected many splendid edifices here. About this time Valladolid was the most prosperous city in Spain, containing 100,000 inhabitants. Formerly capital of Castile and Leon, it was still the residence of the kings and the usual resort of for eigners. In 1560 Madrid was declared the only court ; and from this time the prosper ity of Valladolid declined. Since 1851 it has been the seat of an archbishop, and has still its university.